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Birth
Ernst Waldfried Josef Wenzel Mach was born in Chirlitz-Turas, Moravia (now Brno, Czech Republic). He received an exceptional education from his father and artistic inspiration from his mother, which lead to his interest in science and philosophy. At the age of 14, Mach entered high school to continue his education. After three years, Mach then enrolled in the University of Vienna, where he studied physics and medical physiology in 1855. -
The Teacher
In 1860 Mach received his doctorate in physics with his thesis on "Electrical Charge and Induction." As a professor at the University of Vienna, Mach studied optics and acoustics, as well as the Doppler Effect. Mach would teach at Vienna for four years, best known for his lectures on psychophysics, optics, and musical acoustics. -
On the Move
In 1864 Ernst Mach became the professor of mathematics at Graz University in Austria, and two years later was also appointed professor of physics. After just three years, Mach would leave Graz University for ‘Karls-Universität’ (Charles University) in Prague in 1867. Mach would spend nearly three decades at Charles University, -
Making his "Mach" on History
As the professor of Physics at ‘Karls-Universität’ Mach would make advances in wave motion and the propagation of sound waves. His studies would give us the terms 'Mach Number' or Mach speed, and 'Mach Angle.' Additionally, he made progress in retinal stimuli and discovered what we now call 'Mach Bands, ' which is an optical illusion formed by edge-detection in the human eye. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlaGxYjnoPY
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Retirement
In 1895 Mach would return to Vienna and chair the Department of the Theory of Inductive Science. A year later, he would publish ‘Prinzipien der Wärmelehre’ (‘The Principle of Thermodynamics’). While there, Ernst Mach suffered a paralyzing stroke, losing all ability in the right half of his body. In 1901 he would officially announce his retirement. -
Late Life
Following Mach's stroke, he would move to Munich to be close to his son. While there Mach would publish ‘Erkenntnis und Irrtum’ (‘Knowledge and Error’) and in 1910 his autobiography. Machs Works:
The Science of Mechanics: A Critical and Historical Account of Its Development (1893)
The Analysis of Sensations (1897)
Popular Scientific Lectures (1895)
The Principles of Physical Optics (1926)
Knowledge and Error (1976)
Principles of the Theory of Heat (1986) -
Death
Ernst Mach would die one day after his 78th birthday from heart disease. Mach is credited as the founding father of the field of Philosophy of Science. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research, and Economy, would fund a grant in his name. The grant encourages foreign scientists and researchers to pursue academics in Austria.
