Christopher Polhem
Christopher Polhem (also Polhammar ; born December 18, 1661 in Tingstäde (according to other sources Visby , Gotland ); † August 30, 1751 in Stockholm ) was a Swedish scientist and inventor and a member of the Swedish Academy of Sciences .
Life and career
Polhem studied mathematics and physics at Uppsala University from 1687 . In 1697 he founded the first Swedish engineering school, the Laborium mechanicum in Stockholm (later moved to Falun or Stjärnsund ). To teach his students, Polhem created a collection of wooden models that could be used to explain various mechanical movements, the so-called mechanical alphabet .
He was ennobled in 1716 and changed his name from Polhammar to Polhem. In Stjärnsund he set up several factories whose systems were operated with hydropower.
Polhem was also tasked with designing the locks to bypass the Trollhättan attacks in Göta älv , but was unsuccessful.
From 1876 to 1920 a water-powered drive system named after him for draining ore mines, the so-called Polhemsrad , was in operation in the Swedish region of Bergslagen .
His nephew Anders Polhammer (1705–1767) became known as a watchmaker.
Honors
- Swedish North Star Order
- Christopher Polhem is depicted on the back of the Swedish krona 500 banknote.
- His likeness is shown on the stern of a Boeing 737 with the registration EI-FJZ of Norwegian Air International .
Works
- Åtskillige Allmänne Hushålds Förlag. Stockholm 1726. ( digitized in the digital library Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Trivia
In the Swedish children's book Morgen, Findus, there will be something by Sven Nordqvist , the protagonist Pettersson dreams of Christopher Polhem giving him advice on building a machine in a dream.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Polhem, Christopher |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Polhammar, Christopher |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Swedish scientist and inventor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 18, 1661 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Tingstäde , according to other sources Visby , Gotland |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 30, 1751 |
| Place of death | Stockholm |