Vernier

Pierre Vernier

Born: 1580 in Ornans, France
Died: 14 Sept 1637 in Ornans, France

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Vernier was taught mathematics and science by his father. He became a government official holding various positions such as director general of the treasury in Bourgogne.

His most famous publication is La Construction, l'usage, et les propriétés du quadrant nouveau de mathématiques (1631). In this book Vernier gives a table of sines and a method for deriving the angles of a triangle if its sides are known. He also describes his invention of the vernier caliper, an instrument for accurately measuring length.

References:

  1. Biography in Encyclopaedia Britannica 
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JOC/EFR February 1996