Amsler

Jacob Amsler

Born: 16 Nov 1823 in Stalden bei Brugg, Switzerland
Died: 3 Jan 1912 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Previous (Chronologically) Next     Biographies Index

Previous ( Alphabetically) Next          Welcome page
Jacob Amsler studied at Jena and at Königsberg under Franz Neumann. He completed his studies at Zurich then published on mathematical physics, in particular on magnetism, heat conduction and on the attraction of ellipsoids. In 1854 he became a maker of precision mathematical instruments.

Amsler invented the polar planimeter, a device for measuring areas enclosed by plane curves. It was based on polar coordinates whereas earlier instruments were based on cartesian coordinates. His shop produced 50 000 such instruments during his life.

References:

  1. Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  2. F Dubois, Die Schöpfungen Jakob und Alfred Amsler's ..., Mitteilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Schaffhausen 19 (1944), 209-273. 
Previous (Chronologically) Next     Biographies Index

Previous ( Alphabetically) Next          Welcome page

History Topics Index              Famous curves index

Chronologies                           Birthplace Map

Mathematicians of the day  Anniversaries for the year

Search Form   Simple Search Form   Search Suggestions
JOC/EFR February 1996