Giuseppe Toaldo
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Toaldo was an Italian Catholic priest and physicist.
In his fourteenth year he entered the seminary of Padua, in which he subsequently taught mathematics and Italian literature. While connected with the seminary he edited the works of Galileo (1744), for which he wrote an appreciative preface and critical notes.
In 1754 he was appointed pastor of Montegalda
; and, eight years later, was called to the chair of astronomy in the University of Padua
. Toaldo, like his contemporaries, Divisch and Beccaria (both priests), gave special attention to the study of atmospheric electricity
and to the means of protecting buildings against lightning
. He advocated the erection of lightning-rods, adopting the views of Benjamin Franklin
on their preventive and protective action, rather than those of the French school led by Abbé Nollet. His treatise "Della maniera di difendere gli edificii dal fulmine" (1772) and his pamphlet "Dei conduttori metallici a preservazione degli edifici dal fulmine" (1774) contributed largely to remove the popular prejudices of the time against the use of the "Franklinian rod"; and through his exertions lightning-conductors were placed on Siena Cathedral, on the tower of St. Mark's, Venice, on powder magazines, and ships of the Venetian navy.
Toaldo was a member of many of the learned bodies of Europe, notably of the Royal Society
, London. The asteroid
23685 Toaldo
is named for him.
In his fourteenth year he entered the seminary of Padua, in which he subsequently taught mathematics and Italian literature. While connected with the seminary he edited the works of Galileo (1744), for which he wrote an appreciative preface and critical notes.
In 1754 he was appointed pastor of Montegalda
Montegalda
Montegalda is a town in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is east of SP20.It borders Montegaldella, and the Bacchiglione river flows between the two municipalities....
; and, eight years later, was called to the chair of astronomy in the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
. Toaldo, like his contemporaries, Divisch and Beccaria (both priests), gave special attention to the study of atmospheric electricity
Atmospheric electricity
Atmospheric electricity is the regular diurnal variations of the Earth's atmospheric electromagnetic network . The Earth's surface, the ionosphere, and the atmosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit...
and to the means of protecting buildings against lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
. He advocated the erection of lightning-rods, adopting the views of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
on their preventive and protective action, rather than those of the French school led by Abbé Nollet. His treatise "Della maniera di difendere gli edificii dal fulmine" (1772) and his pamphlet "Dei conduttori metallici a preservazione degli edifici dal fulmine" (1774) contributed largely to remove the popular prejudices of the time against the use of the "Franklinian rod"; and through his exertions lightning-conductors were placed on Siena Cathedral, on the tower of St. Mark's, Venice, on powder magazines, and ships of the Venetian navy.
Toaldo was a member of many of the learned bodies of Europe, notably of the 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"...
, London. The asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
23685 Toaldo
23685 Toaldo
- External links :*...
is named for him.