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Birth
John Tyndall was born in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, Ireland on August 2, 1820. He worked as a surveyor both in Ireland and in England from 1839 to 1847 as he was born to a less fortunate family and had an average education early on. He soon headed down the path of science and away from engineering. -
Early Work
John Tyndall's early work was in magnetism. After moving to Germany from England to further his education in science he began studying magnetism with Hermann Knoblauch, who was one of his professors at the University of Marburg. After returning to England in 1851 he conducted many experiments involving magnetism until 1856. His most influential reports, co-written with Knoblauch, which caught the attention of many leading scientists of the day, made him very well known in the scientific world. -
The Greenhouse Effect
In the late 1850's Tyndall discovered water vapor is the main gas in controlling air temperature. He discovered it is the strongest absorber of radiant heat. By measuring the radiant absorption power of various atmospheric gases, he concluded water vapor absorbed the most heat. Tyndall proved that the Greenhouse Effect was legitimate with these findings, showing that Earths atmosphere does in fact warm the surface as was suspected. https://youtu.be/yU3GwJu_yNA -
Contribution to medicine
In 1864 John Tyndall's studies with the greenhouse effect led him to a conclusion that would change how parts of the medical field helped their patients. He invented a tool that measured the amount of carbon dioxide is in each breath exhaled by a person. How does that help the medical field you ask? Today this is known as Capnography, it is a system used by doctors to keep track of the breathing patterns of patients under anesthesia, or in the Intensive Care Unit. -
The Tyndall Effect
In the mid to late 1860's John Tyndall began experimenting with radiant heat in the air. For these experiments he needed completely purified air, devoid of any atmospheric impurities. He would subject the air to intense light to detect these particulates. The diffusion of light by large molecules and dust is known as the Tyndall Effect today. He used this effect to conduct an experiment showing how the suns rays were scattered by atmospheric particulates, creating the color of the sky. -
Tyndallization
John Tyndall's love for studying air led to the development of Tyndallization. John Tyndall conducted an experiment which allowed him to hold already boiled broth in an atmosphere free of contamination and germs. When these broths did become contaminated he used Tyndallization to rid the broth of the spores, despite them being heat resistant. This process heat shocks the spores so they become almost dormant and can be killed easily. It is the simplest way to kill such bacteria. -
Death
John Tyndall died in December of 1893 by accidental drug overdose in the United Kingdom. His decades of research and discoveries made a huge mark in the scientific community. He was a great advocate for science, he pushed for the benefits as well as the academic authority of science to be given more appreciation and recognition. He was very controversial and believed things like "life can come from matter alone." His understanding of science gained him a lot of recognition, even after his death.
