I'll wade in. I like techie stuff. Pose a question, use scientific method to address it. So, Gough Thomas Garwood is worthy of a mention in my view.

Also, I like Angiers. I read them all as available, in the context of their times, and what people were thinking.
It's really hard to pick if you include non-english language writers as well.

There are so many, and writing isn't always their strong suit.

Out there doing it best I can.