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Birth
Ernst Mach was born in Chirlitz, Moravia (Now the Czech Republic). (Blackmore, J. T. (2000)) -
Early schooling
Mach was taught at home until the age of 15 by his father, who was a farmer and well known tutor. (Blackmore, J. T. (2000)) -
College Graduate
Mach graduated from the University of Vienna at the age of 22. (Blackmore, J. T. (2000)) -
Mach Bands
Mach published “On the effect of the spatial distribution of the light stimulus on the retina". Mach is credited for discovering "lateral inhibition" in our sense organs, which is the idea that our senses pre-process information before sending it to our brain. Mach pushed this to support the idea that perception drives science, among other things. (Pojman, Paul (2020)) -
Mach Number
Spurred by the development of weapons creating strange types of wounds in World War 1, Mach investigated and eventually worked out supersonic motion. During this time he developed high-speed photographic techniques. The Mach Number is used regularly today, especially by engineers in the field of aerodynamics. (Pojman, Paul (2020)) -
Analysis of Sensations
Mach wrote Analysis of Sensations, stating that sensations are not just raw experiences, but rather the interaction of an experience with some pre-formed cognitive structure. For example, a melody can be played at various pitches while still being recognized. It is not the sound, but the recognized relationship between those sounds, that makes the melody. (Pojman, Paul (2020)) -
Science of Mechanics
Mach published Science of Mechanics, which contains his analysis of absolute space, a theory from Isaac Newton. This eventually led to the creation of Mach's Principle from Einstein, who credited Mach for the ideas and impact he had on Einstein. (Pojman, Paul (2020)) https://youtu.be/Wvnf6BUsyyo -
Death
Ernst Mach passed away the day after his 78th birthday, in Vaterstetten, Bavaria. (Blackmore, J. T. (2000))