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Birth
Ernst Mach was born in Chrlice, Moravia, Austrian Empire (modern day Brno, Czech Republic) to Johann Mach and Josephine Lanhaus. -
Mach Goes to College
Mach enrolled as a student at the University of Vienna studying physics, philosophy, and mathematics. He received his doctorate in physics in 1860 with his thesis “On electrical charge and induction”. -
Graduation Day
Mach received his doctorate in physics with his thesis Über elektrische Ladungen und Induktion (About Electric Charges and Induction). -
The Student Becomes the Teacher
Mach becomes a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Graz in Graz, Austria after turning down a position at the University of Salzburg. -
Switch Teaching Roles
Mach is appointed the Professor of Physics at the University of Graz. -
Takes the Chair
Mach accepts the position of Chair of Experimental Physics at Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague. -
Marriage
Mach marries Ludovica Marussig in Graz. They have four sons and a daughter. -
Sense of Balance
He discovered how fluid in the inner ear impacts our balance. He developed a spinning chair to test and prove his hypothesis. -
Not just Match
Mach present the groundwork for Gestalt Theory in his book "Analysis of Sensations". -
The Mach Principle
Mach and Peter Salcher present their findings on the sound effects observed during the supersonic motion of a projectile. The experiment identified the ratio of the speed of a fluid to the local speed of sound, now called the Mach number. His principle is essential to aerodynamics and hydrodynamics studies. -
Mechanics
Mach publishes "The Science of Mechanics: A Critical and Historical Account of Its Development". The work is considered fundamental to understanding mechanics and scientific reasoning. -
Back to Vienna
Mach returns to the University of Vienna as Professor of Inductive Philosophy. -
Health Problems
Mach suffers a stroke that leaves the right side of his body paralyzed. -
Retirement from Academics
Mach retires from the University of Vienna and is appointed to the Austrian Parliament. -
Retirement
Mach leaves Vienna and moves in with one of his sons near Munich. -
Death
Ernst Mach continues to write and research until his death.