Kary Mullis was an American biochemist best known for inventing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in 1983. This revolutionary method allows scientists to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment, significantly advancing the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and forensic science. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993. In addition to his scientific contributions, Mullis was known for his unconventional views and outspoken personality. He authored the book Dancing Naked in the Mind Field, where he shared his thoughts on science, life, and the nature of reality. Mullis passed away in August 2019.