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2024-04-23 08:11:01

Ludwig Boltzmann

Austrian physicist and philosopher
Austrian physicist and philosopher

Ludwig Boltzmann was known for his work in statistical mechanics and the second law of thermodynamics. He defined entropy and introduced the Boltzmann constant, contributing to modern physics.

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1808
Discoveries of John Dalton

John Dalton's discoveries in 1808 laid the foundation for the belief in the reality of atoms and molecules, a concept that was later supported by Boltzmann and others.

1844-02-20
Birth of Ludwig Boltzmann

Ludwig Boltzmann, the renowned physicist and mathematician, was born on February 20, 1844.

1859
Father's Death

At the age of 15, Ludwig Boltzmann lost his father to tuberculosis.

1860
Boltzmann clarifies kinetic theory of gases

Around 1860, Ludwig Boltzmann built upon James Clerk Maxwell's work on the kinetic theory of gases. He developed the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution to describe molecular speeds in a gas.

1863
Boltzmann starts studying physics at the University of Vienna

In 1863, Ludwig Boltzmann began his physics studies at the University of Vienna, where he was taught by influential figures such as Josef Loschmidt and Joseph Stefan.

1865
Publication of "Electricity on Curved Surfaces"

In 1865, Ludwig Boltzmann published his work titled "Electricity on Curved Surfaces", which contributed to the field of mathematical physics.

1866
Boltzmann receives his doctorate under Stefan's supervision

In 1866, Ludwig Boltzmann obtained his doctorate while working under the supervision of Joseph Stefan at the University of Vienna.

1867
Boltzmann becomes a Privatdozent

In 1867, Ludwig Boltzmann became a Privatdozent, which is a lecturer position in academia.

1869
Appointment as Full Professor in Graz

In 1869, at the age of 25, Ludwig Boltzmann became a Full Professor in Graz, specializing in Mathematical Physics.

1871
Ludwig Boltzmann works with Gustav Kirchhoff and Hermann von Helmholtz

In 1871, Ludwig Boltzmann worked with Gustav Kirchhoff and Hermann von Helmholtz in Berlin, where he experimentally verified an important relationship between the optical and electrical properties of materials.

1872
Boltzmann's Maximum Entropy Principle

In 1872, Ludwig Boltzmann proposed the concept of maximum entropy, stating that in a world of mechanically colliding particles, disordered states are the most probable. He argued that systems tend towards a state of maximum disorder due to the vast number of possible disordered states compared to ordered ones.

1873
Appointment as Full Professor in Wien

In 1873, Ludwig Boltzmann was appointed as a Full Professor in Wien, focusing on Mathematics.

1875
Declined Offer of Professorship in Zurich and Freiburg

In 1875, at the age of 31, Ludwig Boltzmann declined offers of Professorship from Zurich and Freiburg.

1876-07-17
Marriage of Ludwig Boltzmann and Henriette von Aigentler

In 1876, Ludwig Boltzmann married Henriette von Aigentler, an aspiring teacher of mathematics and physics in Graz. Their marriage was significant as it took place at a time when women were not yet admitted to Austrian universities.

1877
Boltzmann extends theory of entropy

In 1877, Ludwig Boltzmann expanded his theory of entropy beyond Carnot, Clausius, Maxwell, and Kelvin. He demonstrated that entropy is influenced by heat, spatial separation, and radiation.

1881
Collaboration with James Maxwell

In 1881, Ludwig Boltzmann collaborated with James Maxwell to develop the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law, which describes the energy distribution of molecules in a classical gas at a specific temperature. This collaboration was crucial in advancing the field of physics.

1884
Publication of Stefan-Boltzmann Law

In 1884, Ludwig Boltzmann and Josef Stefan published the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which relates the total radiant heat energy emitted from a surface to its absolute temperature. This law has significant implications in thermodynamics.

1885
Member of Imperial Austrian Academy of Sciences

In 1885, Boltzmann became a member of the Imperial Austrian Academy of Sciences, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of physics.

1887
Ludwig Boltzmann and Co-Workers in Graz

In 1887, Ludwig Boltzmann and his colleagues in Graz, including Nernst, Streintz, Arrhenius, Hiecke, Aulinger, Ettingshausen, Klemenčič, and Hausmanninger, made significant contributions to the field of physics.

1888
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

In 1888, Boltzmann was elected as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, highlighting his international recognition in the scientific community.

1889
Tragic Death of Ludwig Boltzmann's Eldest Son

In 1889, Ludwig Boltzmann's eldest son, Ludwig, passed away due to appendicitis, causing immense grief to Boltzmann.

1890
Appointment as Professor in München

In 1890, Ludwig Boltzmann became a Professor in München, where one of his notable students was the future First President of the University of Osaka, Hantaro.

1893
Succession of Joseph Stefan as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Vienna

In 1893, Ludwig Boltzmann succeeded his teacher Joseph Stefan as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Vienna.

1894
Ludwig Boltzmann succeeds Joseph Stefan as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Vienna

In 1894, Ludwig Boltzmann succeeded his teacher Joseph Stefan as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Vienna.

1895
Debate between Boltzmann and Ostwald at Scientific Meeting in Lübeck

In 1895, at a scientific meeting in Lübeck, Wilhelm Ostwald presented a paper challenging Boltzmann's ideas, stating the existence of processes beyond mechanical equations. Sommerfeld described the intense battle between Ostwald and Boltzmann, with Boltzmann ultimately emerging victorious with his arguments.

1897
Boltzmann's Philosophical Works

In 1897, Ludwig Boltzmann wrote treatises on philosophy, including 'On the question of the objective existence of processes in inanimate nature'. He embraced materialism and referred to his philosophy as such in his work 'On Thesis of Schopenhauer's'.

1898
Boltzmann's I2 molecule diagram

In 1898, Boltzmann created a diagram showing atomic 'sensitive region' overlap, known as the I2 molecule diagram.

1899
Ludwig Boltzmann elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

In 1899, Ludwig Boltzmann received the prestigious title of Fellow of the Royal Society.

1900
Max Planck uses Boltzmann's constant in Black Body theory

Max Planck utilized Boltzmann's constant in his Black Body theory of radiation to describe the entropy of the system, leading to the development of his formula in 1900.

1901
Boltzmann's Return to University of Vienna

In 1901, Ludwig Boltzmann returned to the University of Vienna and resumed his position as the chair of theoretical physics. This marked a significant moment in his career after facing criticism and leaving previous university positions.

1902
Appointment as Professor in Wien

In 1902, Ludwig Boltzmann returned to Wien as a Professor, continuing his academic career.

1903
Death of Ludwig Boltzmann

Ludwig Boltzmann passed away in 1903, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important physicists of the 19th century.

1904-02-20
Festschrift Ludwig Boltzmann

Stefan Meyer dedicated a Festschrift to Ludwig Boltzmann on his sixtieth birthday on February 20, 1904.

1905
Publication of Populäre Schriften

In 1905, Boltzmann published 'Populäre Schriften' where he defended his belief in atomic structure and explained how the physical world could be described by differential equations without representing the underlying atomic structure.

1906-09-05
Ludwig Boltzmann's Suicide

Despite defending his theories, Boltzmann felt overwhelmed by attacks on his work and committed suicide by hanging himself while on holiday with his family. The true cause of his suicide remains uncertain, possibly due to mental illness.

1922
Alfred J. Lotka refers to Boltzmann as a proponent of the concept of available energy in biological evolution

In 1922, Alfred J. Lotka acknowledged Boltzmann as one of the pioneers in proposing that available energy, known as exergy, is a fundamental element in the biological struggle and evolution of the organic world.

1948
Introduction of information entropy definition by Claude Shannon

Claude Shannon introduced the information entropy definition in 1948, initially intended for communication theory but applicable in various fields. This definition, based on probability and logarithmic connection, offers immediate results without complex calculations, with roots tracing back to the works of Boltzmann and Gibbs.

1955
Ludwig Boltzmann: Mensch, Physiker, Philosoph

A book by E. Broda that delves into Ludwig Boltzmann's life, work as a physicist, and philosophical thoughts in 1955.

1964
Publication of Boltzmann's Lectures on Gas Theory

In 1964, Stephen G. Brush edited and translated 'Boltzmann, Lectures on Gas Theory', a significant work on gas theory by Ludwig Boltzmann.

1965
Publication of Brush's Kinetic Theory

In 1965, Stephen G. Brush edited 'Kinetic Theory', a notable publication on the kinetic theory related to Ludwig Boltzmann's work.

1970
Inclusion of Boltzmann in Dictionary of Scientific Biography

In 1970, Charles Coulston Gillispie included Ludwig Boltzmann in the 'Dictionary of Scientific Biography', recognizing his significant contributions to science.

1974
Publication of 'Theoretical physics and philosophical problems: Selected writings' by Ludwig Boltzmann

In 1974, Ludwig Boltzmann's work 'Theoretical physics and philosophical problems: Selected writings' was published, exploring the intersection of physics and philosophy.

1982
Publication of Ludwig Boltzmann's Selected Works

In 1982, Roman Sexl & John Blackmore published 'Ludwig Boltzmann – Ausgewahlte Abhandlungen', a collection of selected works by Ludwig Boltzmann.

1983
Ludwig Boltzmann: Man, Physicist, Philosopher

A book by E. Broda and L. Gray that explores Ludwig Boltzmann's identity as a man, his contributions as a physicist, and his philosophical musings in 1983.

1994
Publication of Ludwig Boltzmann's Life and Letters

In 1994, Walter Hoeflechner edited 'Boltzmann, Ludwig Boltzmann – Leben und Briefe', a compilation of Ludwig Boltzmann's life and correspondence.

1995
Publication of Ludwig Boltzmann's Later Life and Philosophy - The Philosopher

Also in 1995, John Blackmore published 'Ludwig Boltzmann – His Later Life and Philosophy, 1900–1906, Book Two: The Philosopher', focusing on Ludwig Boltzmann's philosophical contributions during his later years.

1998
Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms

Carlo Cercignani's book published in 1998, focusing on the life and work of Ludwig Boltzmann, a prominent figure in the field of physics.

1999
Publication of Ludwig Boltzmann - Troubled Genius as Philosopher

In 1999, John Blackmore's work 'Ludwig Boltzmann – Troubled Genius as Philosopher' was featured in Synthese, delving into the complexities of Ludwig Boltzmann's philosophical ideas.

2001
Boltzmann's Atom: The Great Debate by David Lindley

David Lindley wrote a book in 2001 called 'Boltzmann's Atom: The Great Debate' which explores the revolutionary impact of the debate surrounding Boltzmann's atomic theory in physics.

2004
Boltzmann's Work in Statistical Physics

Jos Uffink's article 'Boltzmann's Work in Statistical Physics' in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy sheds light on Boltzmann's contributions to statistical physics.

2006-01
Publication of 'Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms'

The book 'Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms' by Carlo Cercignani and Roger Penrose was published in January 2006.

2010-01-01
Online publication of 'Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms'

On January 1, 2010, the online edition of 'Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms' was made available on Oxford Academic, shedding light on the significant contributions of Ludwig Boltzmann to the field of physics.

2014-02-20
Commemorative plaque unveiling for Ludwig Boltzmann's 170th birthday

On February 20, 2014, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in honor of Ludwig Boltzmann's 170th birthday at the building where he died.

2018
Atoms, Mechanics, and Probability: Ludwig Boltzmann's Statistico-Mechanical

Olivier Darrigol's book from 2018 delves into Ludwig Boltzmann's work on atoms, mechanics, and probability, providing insights into his statistico-mechanical theories.

End of the Timeline
Ludwig Boltzmann

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Ludwig Boltzmann

Austrian physicist and philosopher
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