Mach2

Ernst Mach (1838 - 1916)

  • Born

    Ernst Mach is Born in Brno, Czechia
  • Begins His Schooling

    Mach began going to school at the University of Vienna at the age of 17
  • Doctorate

    Earned his Doctorate in physics
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    Professor Mach

    Taught mechanics and physics in Vienna
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    Phenomenon

    During this decade, Mach discovered the physiological phenomenon, now known as "Mach Bands" (This is the ability of the human eye to see dark or bright bands between areas of sharply different illumination)
    Link text
    Pojman, Paul. “Ernst Mach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, 21 May 2008, plato.stanford.edu/entries/ernst-mach/#MacBan.
  • University of Graz

    Became a professor of Mathematics at the University of Graz
  • Charles University

    Became an experimental physics professor in Prague (remained for 28 years)
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    Developments

    Developed photographic techniques for the measurement of sound waves which is the ratio of the velocity of an object to the velocity of sound.
  • Establishment

    Mach established the principles of supersonics and the Mach Number
    "Mach Number is the ratio of the speed of the object to the speed of sound in the given medium; his work is essential to modern aerodynamics, and through it the word ‘Mach’ has bizarrely entered into popular culture as an icon for razors, sound systems, fighter pilots, and high speed fuels." according to Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Return of the Mach

    Mach returned to the University of Vienna to resume his teaching
  • Stroke

    Two years after returning to Vienna, Mach suffered a stroke.
  • Retirement

    Mach retired from his teaching days not long after his stroke.
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    Publishing Texts

    Published his text "Knowledge and Error" in 1905,
    Mach, Ernst (1975). Knowledge and Error: Sketches on the Psychology of Enquiry. Reidel.
    then his Autobiography in 1910.
  • Death

    Mach passed in Munich, Germany at the age of 78 years old