Christian Ludwig Gersten
Encyclopedia
Christian Ludwig Gersten (07 Feb 1701 - 13 Aug 1762) was a German scientist.
He was born in Gießen, a town in the German federal state of Hessen. He studied law and mathematics at the University of Gießen
and in the beginning of 1730s he travelled to London, England
, to improve his mathematical knowledge. In London in 1733 he became a fellow of the English Royal Society
. In the same 1733 he return back to Gießen, to accept the position of a professor of mathematics
at the University of his home town.
Christian Ludwig Gersten is primarily known by his book for a series of experiments, using the barometer
, entitled "Tentamina Systematis Novi ad Mutationes Barometri ex Natura elateris Aerei demonstrandas, cui adjecta sub finem Dissertatio Roris decidui errorem Antiquum et vulgarem per Observationes et Experimenta Nova excutiens". Gersten actually was the first scientist to find out, based on observations, that dew did not fall from the heavens, but ascends from earth, especially from plants.
Gersten is also known to present a very interesting calculating device
(see the link in the External Links section).
He was born in Gießen, a town in the German federal state of Hessen. He studied law and mathematics at the University of Gießen
University of Giessen
The University of Giessen is officially called the Justus Liebig University Giessen after its most famous faculty member, Justus von Liebig, the founder of modern agricultural chemistry and inventor of artificial fertiliser.-History:The University of Gießen is among the oldest institutions of...
and in the beginning of 1730s he travelled to London, England
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, to improve his mathematical knowledge. In London in 1733 he became a fellow of the English Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. In the same 1733 he return back to Gießen, to accept the position of a professor of mathematics
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at the University of his home town.
Christian Ludwig Gersten is primarily known by his book for a series of experiments, using the barometer
Barometer
A barometer is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure. Pressure tendency can forecast short term changes in the weather...
, entitled "Tentamina Systematis Novi ad Mutationes Barometri ex Natura elateris Aerei demonstrandas, cui adjecta sub finem Dissertatio Roris decidui errorem Antiquum et vulgarem per Observationes et Experimenta Nova excutiens". Gersten actually was the first scientist to find out, based on observations, that dew did not fall from the heavens, but ascends from earth, especially from plants.
Gersten is also known to present a very interesting calculating device
Calculator
An electronic calculator is a small, portable, usually inexpensive electronic device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic. Modern calculators are more portable than most computers, though most PDAs are comparable in size to handheld calculators.The first solid-state electronic...
(see the link in the External Links section).