Franz Leppich

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Franz Xaver Leppich , also Leppig, (born October 15, 1778 in Müdesheim an der Wern , Lower Franconia ; † around 1819 in Austria ) was a German inventor and musician. He served in the English and Austrian armies , stayed temporarily at Napoléon's court in Paris and served as a pioneer in the service of Tsar Alexander I , for whom he was to build a bomb airship.

Franz Leppich came from a farming family and made headlines in the press during his time.

youth

His mother was a born Schneider from Arnstein- Reuchelheim. He was born on October 15, 1778 in Müdesheim . His parents from Müdesheim, who were simple farmers, gave him the first lessons in the Latin language in Würzburg, from there he went to the Gymnasium Münnerstadt, 50 km away, to the "Domschule" ( Augustinian grammar school for the training of young priests). But he did not prove himself worthy of it and after two years in 1791 he was released from there “for daring pranks” and then - when he returned to Müdesheim - was supposed to simply become a carpenter “with a plane and glue brush”. With his "restless spirit" and a special mechanical talent - a "tinkerer" - he soon built a complex musical instrument: a piano or at least something like it, at the age of 12 or 13, then he went to the Austrian army.

experience

With his real name he is registered in the regular role of the Imperial Austrian Army in Vienna as a cadet, in which he remained until 1798. He then entered the English military service and became a soldier- recruiter for England , at some point he appears there as Mr. Smith, where he rose to the post of captain. After a little more than three years, with the Peace of Amiens, he resigned here as well and returned to Germany, where he finally settled in Altona. Leppich married the noblewoman Anna von Voss and devoted himself entirely to his passion, the construction of strange inventions. It was also in Altona that he met Riffelsen, with whom he worked for a few years on a new musical instrument. From 1805 his name can be found in the town register of the city of Altona . "In 1810, Franz Leppich honored his homeland for his inventions by being awarded honorary membership of the Polytechnic Society in Würzburg."

Fame as a musician

Between 1805 and 1810, he improved the Melodikon , a novel instrument that by friction sounds similar to the glass harmonica generated, which he then Panmelodicon or Panmelodikon called. He got to know this instrument at Riffelsen and later improved it in Vienna. He was able to demonstrate this instrument to Napoléon during his stay in Vienna and received his recognition for it. This invention caused a sensation at the time, as reported in the press at the time. He met the composer and piano virtuoso Conradin Kreutzer , who was enthusiastic about his invention, and went on concert tours with him from 1810–12. They gave concerts in Vienna (from March to June 7, 1810), and Munich (June 26, 1810), in Augsburg (July 7–9, 1810), Ulm (July 10, 1810), Karlsruhe , Lucerne (July 16, 1810 ) and Bern , also Stuttgart (November 1), Würzburg (December 1–13, 1810), Aschaffenburg , Frankfurt , Mannheim (January 7, 1811) and Schweinfurt were able to "enjoy the magic tones never heard before". His further path led him to Paris, where he built a pan melodicon for the Empress (apparently already Marie Louise ).

Aviation pioneer

That time was marked by the first realization of the desire for movement in the third dimension, cherished since time immemorial, to fly in the air - initially by means of balloons, which overcame gravity for the first time in 1783 using hot air ( Montgolfière ) and hydrogen gas ( Charlière ) including human cargo. A number of other balloon builders then tried to perfect these aerostats and demonstrated them to an enthusiastic audience with more or less success. Leppich also pressed into this group. But unlike many before and after him, he didn't want to be a showman. Rather, he planned a vehicle for practical use that could be steered and with which large loads could be transported, he wanted "to build a balloon to transport large amounts of fire material ... with which an entire army could be destroyed".

First work on an airship

In the vicinity of Emperor Napoléon, experiments were already carried out on transport balloons.

"In 1812 Napoléon had decreed that the French airmen should be supported who wanted to build a dirigible balloon. [...] the Tsar announced [...] that work was being done in France on the manufacture of an airship. A mechanic Leppich had been brought to Russia who, as it appeared, had achieved greater success than the French. "

Leppich initially offered his theoretical invention for sale, but Emperor Napoléon refused and prohibited Leppich from further experiments. When Leppich in the town of Tubenchène tried to realize his idea, the Emperor Napoléon ordered Leppich to be arrested, who escaped by fleeing. Already during the concert tour in 1810 with his friend Kreutzer, he made the acquaintance of the King of Württemberg, Friedrich I . With his patronage and financial support from the publisher Johann Friedrich Cotta , he set up a workshop in Tübingen Castle in January 1812 in order to work with some skilled craftsmen on his project away from the public. The French mission in Stuttgart was interested in his work, but initially wanted to wait until he had finished and tested his machine; King Friedrich I was not interested in it himself.

At the Stuttgart court he also made the acquaintance of the Russian ambassador, the Privy Councilor, Count David Maximowitsch Alopaeus , to whom he explained his idea and who reported it to the tsar.

"In frank conversation, Leppich confessed to him that he used to be enthusiastic about Bonaparte. However, when he was proclaimed emperor and made preparations to submit all of Europe, his enthusiasm turned into hatred and he was now thinking of building a balloon to fight the usurper. Leppich told of his intention to pass his invention on to London, but Alopeus, advised him not to do so and convinced him that the British should concentrate their full attention on their fleet. The French mission in Stuttgart remained interested in Leppich's work, while the king initially seemed uninvolved. "

Friedrich, who at first did not know anything about Leppich's current plans, soon became suspicious of his activity. At the beginning of April, Alopeus reported about this to the Tsar. On April 10th, 1812 - Leppich received a visit from a commission that was supposed to assess his project for feasibility. The commission headed by Messrs Carl Friedrich Kielmeyer , Johann Gottlieb Friedrich von Bohnenberger and Carl August von Eschenmayer came to an overall positive result.

"The possibility of a flying machine [...] does not seem to be subject to any doubt [...]. What is known up to now about individual parts of the machine seems to correspond to the intended purpose [...]. After carefully examining Leppich's furnishings and the drawings, these professors declared that the design of the machine was extraordinarily spacious and that only practical tests could confirm the correctness and real feasibility of what Leppich had come up with. [...] The professors had also inspected the already completed floor of the nacelle and clearly acknowledged that it corresponds to the latest knowledge and that the mechanic is able to use very complicated mathematical tasks in his work ”.

On April 18, 1812, Leppich was summoned to the police ministry and interrogated. He stated that “his main purpose had been to manufacture this machine in such perfect condition as to show it to His Royal Majesty […].” He claims that “in 4 months 50 such flying machines would be more than sufficient would be to make an independent nation out of Germany, and to put that sovereign who wants to make use of his invention at its peak. "

He had to promise not to leave the country without permission, not to tell anyone about the subject of the interrogation and to keep reporting on the progress of his work. After King Friedrich listened to the report of the commission without comment, Leppich was called to the police ministry again, where he was told that he had to stop his work immediately and that he himself had to leave the kingdom within 10 days.

Apparently, as a member of the Rhine Confederation protected by Napoleon, Friedrich wanted to allow others to go it alone with this "secret weapon" out of consideration for this and the necessary costs of 1½ million guilders [for 50 machines] mentioned by Leppich.

"At that time Napoléon had given instructions to influence the king to have the inventor's work interrupted."

Order of the Tsar

As mentioned above, the representative of Russia at the Württemberg court of Alopeus had already in March 1812 secret messages about his meeting with Leppich and his model of a flying machine to St. Petersburg (the then Russian capital) to Count Nikolai Rumjanzew, and shortly thereafter directly to the Tsar Alexander sent. The device, which is still to be further developed, "in the shape of a lean ball", can be used as a combat airship equipped with bombs and rockets. The tests with the model were successful.

Draft drawing of the airship for Tsar Alexander I by Franz Leppich
“Alopeus added a drawing made by Leppich himself to his letter [to the Tsar], which showed an overall view of the balloon. It was a streamlined balloon that looked like an elongated pear. The upper half of the balloon was spanned by a net that was fastened to a wooden hoop that encircled the balloon in the equatorial plane like a belt. The tire was connected to a rigid wooden keel by struts. The gondola was housed on this keel, the outer shape of which was reminiscent of an open veranda of a summer house. The movement of the balloon in the air was to be done by hand with the help of two large oars, each of which had 5 wing-like blades. The oars in the drawing were reminiscent of a human hand with outstretched fingers. "

With his letter, Alopeus asked the tsar to direct funds to support Leppich. Alexander was thrilled and wished to bring Leppich to Moscow.

With Leppich's expulsion from Württemberg , the time to act had come for Alopeus. He had passports obtained through his ambassador colleague at the Bavarian Court in Munich, Prince Iwan Barjatinski - for Leppich as Dr. med. Heinrich Schmidt [resp. Schmitt] from Kurland and for his companion, the Feldjäger Oberleutnant Jordan (previously adjutant to the Prince of Oldenburg ), as Kurlander Feilchner. As Alopeus informed the Tsar, the two were supposed to “leave on April 11th to Rastwillow, where they would be received and accompanied to Russia”. In addition, Alopeus paid the 5,000 guilders loan from Dr. Leppich. Cotta, who informed his king about it.

"In a long personal letter, Friedrich [then] warns his patron Napoléon about the inventive inventor, whose confused head and exaggerated imagination can make him dangerous to the state."

Schmidt (Leppich) and Feilchner (Jordan) arrived in Russia on May 8, 1812 . The upper chamberlain, Prince Fyodor Rostoptschin , was informed of this and the project in Moscow by secret courier from the Tsar . The tsar pointed out the absolute secrecy, since work was being carried out on the production of an airship in France, but Leppich's work seemed more promising. He himself was not allowed to receive Leppich in his house, "the matter" was also to be kept secret from the Moscow Commander-in-Chief, Count Ivan Gudowitsch , because his family doctor and confidante, Dr. Salwator, suspected of espionage for France. Instead, this matter should be entrusted to the Moscow civil governor, Prince Nikolai Obreskov . On May 27, 1812, Obreskow reported to the tsar that he had found a suitable place for the work for the two six werst from Moscow, and that Leppich had started to buy material.

Secret shipyard near Moscow

On June 7th, 1812 Rostopchin (who had replaced Gudowitsch as Commander-in-Chief) reported to the Tsar that the work had started. The name of the village (Voronzowo) southwest of Moscow was not mentioned in either of the letters because there were fears of espionage. The capacity of an entire factory was occupied for the order for 5000 arsins (3550 m) of a special silk taffeta fabric - to be delivered within 2 weeks. Master craftsmen from St. Petersburg and Vilna were assigned to Leppich because they were more technically trustworthy and moreover, secrecy was easier. More than 500 workers worked in this closely guarded airship yard, which is surrounded by a high protective wall.

On July 4, 1812, Rostopchin reported to Alexander about a personal visit to Leppich: He was conducting experiments to produce hydrogen gas using rolled-up iron sheets that were dipped into the vitriol oil instead of iron filings. “He promised to finish the big machine by August 15th. The guard department entrusted with guarding the property, consisting of two officers and fifty soldiers, does its duty properly day and night. ”Rostopchin described Leppich as very eager, the first to get up in the morning and the last to go to sleep. "None of the hundred people assigned to this work has ever been caught lazing around, they all work seventeen hours a day until they fall over from tiredness."

On a visit to Moscow in July 1812, Alexander took a look at Leppich's workshop and spoke to him for a few minutes. On August 8, the Tsar gave Rostopchin instructions on how to find a reliable crew to test the airboat. Leppich should be careful "so that he does not fall into the hands of the enemy". General Mikhail Kutuzov , who was entrusted with the defense of Moscow, was to be informed. On August 22nd, he asked whether the aerostat could be used; Napoléon's Grande Armée was not far. In the event of defeat, Kutuzov wanted to retreat to Moscow and defend the city. Since the use of the aerostat was no longer expected, the Minister of War Alexei Araktschejew commissioned the retired Major General Orlov-Tschesmensky with the short-term evacuation of Leppich's workshops to Nizhny Novgorod . Due to the necessary urgency (within 3 hours), however, a considerable part of the equipment could not be loaded onto the 120 wagons provided and was destroyed on site. On September 1, Leppich was sent to Petersburg. The arson by Leppich is a rumor that was later spread by the conquerors.

“6 hours passed, 5 days, and then instead of 50 people, only two could rise into the air. There were difficulties again; The matter ended with Count Rostoptschin, who at first had no doubt about the success, called Leppich a charlatan and sent him to Petersburg on September 1st, but the balloon, the instruments and the other substances, which had cost 163,000 rubles, to Nizhny-Novgorod. Not everything could be carried away in such a hurry, and therefore the small quantities of materials that remained behind, which the enemy found, served as a pretext for a forging, as if the balloon had been made to burn Moscow. It may seem strange why one resorted to this new, unproven means of destruction against the enemy. Such a question is now very understandable in the midst of peace and welfare ... "

- Edmund Götschel : History of the Patriotic War in 1812, Volume 2, 1840, pp. 229-230

The letters from and about Leppich, which were translated into Cobbett's weekly political register of 1812, also confirm this.

Oranienbaum

September 1, Leppich traveled to St. Petersburg. He was able to persuade Alexander and Araktschejew to provide him with a room and the means to continue the work. In Oranienbaum (today Lomonossow ) near St. Petersburg he worked tirelessly on his idea from October 1812. On November 6, 1812, he apologized to the Tsar for not being able to take the promised flight to St. Petersburg because of the frost and the balloon that was damaged during the transport. Araktschejew then sent his adjutant to Oranienbaum, who examined the ongoing work and came to the conclusion that Mr Schmitt's suggestions were well founded. Again and again Leppich tried to improve the wing-like steering rudder and personally put himself in the oar until he was physically exhausted. But with muscle power against the wind it was ineffective. A whole year passed like this. On November 20, 1813, Major General Vyndomsky made his report to Araktschejew after a visit, whereupon the work was stopped. Leppich left for Germany on February 25, 1814.

Back home

After his return he bought a castle in Theilheim near Wipfeld . There, too, he continued to work with his transport airship, which (according to Pierer) was never used. On the other hand (according to the “Stachelhausen Report”, which can no longer be found), he is said to have succeeded in 1817 in achieving a proper movement independent of the wind.

With an imperfect physical knowledge corresponding to his time - even competent scientists assessed his plans positively - but with convincing arguments he tried to realize his vision of the dirigible airship. The motor-drive time had not yet come. Leppich sold the castle to his neighbors in Theilheim, Joel Rosenthal and Mändel Rosenbaum, and left Theilheim. The last currently known activities were in Vienna and the surrounding area together with his brother Kasper Leppich.

Other inventions

As a tireless tinkerer, he invented a machine for making nails. Kasper and Franz Leppich received a privilege for five (six) years in the Austrian states on July 11, 1818 (June 23, 1818).

Other inventions that can also be associated with corrugated rocks.
  • Vibrating machine for curing gout.
  • Defiant power machine, for lifting large loads.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. The allegations and statements in this section relate essentially to one source, and it is not expected that further evidence will exist or be found in the foreseeable future.
  1. ^ A b Franz Leppig Mechanikus: Biographical Notes. In: New Franconian-Würzburg Chronicle. Volume 5. Bonitas, 1811, pp. 17-21 (biography of Franz Leppich; books.google.de or Wikisource ).
  2. ^ In: Morgenblatt for educated readers. Volume 4, JG Cotta'sche buchhandlung, 1810, p. 356 ( limited preview )
  3. ^ A b c Paul Wider: People and Balloons: Documentation on the history of balloon aviation in southern Germany and German-speaking Switzerland . Bechtle, 1993, ISBN 3-7628-0516-4 (Franz Leppich's infernal balloon, with quotations from “Uralpfadfinder” and from contemporary articles in “Schwäbischer Merkur”).
  4. New Franconian-Würzburg Chronicle. Volume 5, Bonitas, 1810, p. 567 ( books.google.de ).
  5. ^ General musical newspaper, Volume 20, Breitkopf and Härtel, 1818, p. 56 ( books.google.de ).
  6. Breitkopf and Härtel, 1809/10, p. 675 Online
  7. Productions of the Panmelodlkon. In: New Franconian-Würzburg Chronicle. Volume 5, Bonitas, 1810, pp. 281-282, 567-568, 749 ( limited preview or Wikisource ).
  8. In: Morgenblatt für educated Estates. Volume 2; Volume 4, Cotta, 1810, p. 1160 ( books.google.de ).
  9. ^ "Mannheim, March 3rd. Herr Leppich and Kreuzer gave a concert with us on January 7th, the latter being heard partly in a piano concerto of his composition, partly on the pan melodicon invented by Herr Leppich. Herr Kreuzer's piano playing is familiar and smooth, at the same time secure and delicate, but not very strong and therefore somewhat monotonous; the composting of his concert (which he announced as a 'Fantastiekonzert') a little haphazardly in order to be new. Mr. Leppich's instrument has a pleasant, moderately strong tone and has a deeply moving effect on delicate areas. Herr Kreuzer treats it pretty well and appropriately, only too monotonously. ”Newspaper for the elegant world of Berlin: Mode, Entertainment, Art, Theater, Volume 11, Janke, 1811, p. 448 ( books.google.de ).
  10. “A few days after his arrival [in December 1810 in Würzburg], Mr. Franz Leppich had the honor of presenting his Panmelodicon in front of Sr. Kaiser, König, Hochheit dem Erzherzog, Großh. At court by playing the composer and virtuoso on the fortepiano, to produce Mr. Konradin Kreutzer, for which he received an appropriate reward in addition to the highest applause. ”New Franconian-Würzburg Chronicle, Volume 6, Bonitas, 1811, pp. 3-7 ( books.google.de ).
  11. a b c d e f g h i Vadim Infantjew: In those years (magazine " Уральский Следопыт " [spr. Uraljskij Sledopyt] "Ural scout" 12.1968) . 1968, ISBN 3-7628-0516-4 (Franz Leppich's infernal balloon, with quotations from “Uralpfadfinder” and from contemporary articles in “Schwäbischer Merkur”; translated by Ing. Gustav Kraut, Warmbronn - Deutsches Museum Munich).
  12. ^ Morgenblatt für educated Estates, Volume 2; Volume 4, Cotta, 1810, p. 1132 ( books.google.de ).
  13. ^ History of the Patriotic War in 1812, Volume 2, Edmund Götschel, 1840, pp. 229–230 ( books.google.at )
  14. ^ In: Cobbett's weekly political register. Volume 22. R. Bagshaw, 1812, pp. 659–660 ( books.google.de )
  15. "List of the invention privileges granted and still existing in the Austrian monarchy since 1815. […] Brothers Leppich, on the nails printing machine they invented, for six years, July 11, 1818. “Yearbooks of the Imperial Royal Polytechnic Institute in Vienna, Volume 1, 1919, p. 405 ( books.google.de ) .
  16. ^ Official and Intelligence Gazette from Salzburg, FX Duyle, 1819, pp. 44–46 ( books.google.de ).
  17. ^ Annals of progress, newest inventions and discoveries in sciences, arts, manufactories, factories and handicrafts, Volume 3, Keyser, 1811, p. 338 ( books.google.de ).