Denis Papin

Denis Papin was born on August 22, 1647 in Blois, France. He is known for his work in inventing the steam engine.

In 1660, Denis Papin offered his services and an improved air pump to Robert Boyle, after making contact with him in London. Papin's collaboration with Boyle marked his entry into the history of British science.

Denis Papin graduated with a medical degree on 4 June 1669 from the University of Angers. The university attracted students from all over France.

In 1670, Denis Papin met the Dutch mathematician and scientist Christiaan Huygens at a scholarly group in Paris. Huygens took Papin under his wing and offered him a job as his assistant to work on the newly invented air pump.

In 1673, Denis Papin came to Paris and became the assistant to the famous Dutch physicist and astronomer Christian Huygens. Huygens, a Protestant like Papin, had settled in France.

Under Huygens's supervision, Denis Papin published a book in Paris in 1674, based on experiments he had learned during his apprenticeship. The book included Huygens's design of the air-pump and experiments with the instrument, such as testing reactions of animals and plants inside the pump.

Huygens introduced Papin to Henry Oldenburg, who arranged for Papin to meet Boyle and Brouncker. Papin focused on learning English initially before showing interest in science. Papin and Huygens collaborated on papers published in the Transactions of the Royal Society.

In July 1675, Denis Papin traveled to England with his own air-pump to engage directly with Robert Boyle. This meeting between the two prominent scientists facilitated further discussions and collaborations in the field of experimental philosophy.

Papin began working closely with Boyle on experiments related to respiration, magnetism, air, and blood chemistry. He played a significant role in designing instruments, conducting experiments, and recording results.

From July 1676 to February 1679, Denis Papin worked for Robert Boyle, conducting experiments primarily with the air pump. Despite being considered a colleague, Papin's societal status was that of a servant, not an equal. Their collaborative work was published under Boyle's name alone in 1674.

Due to Robert Boyle's illnesses, Denis Papin had a significant amount of freedom to conduct experiments under Boyle's guidance. This dynamic led to Papin being perceived as a post-doctoral researcher, although his societal status was that of a servant.

In 1680, Denis Papin was nominated by Robert Boyle into the Royal Society, a prestigious scientific organization in London. This recognition highlighted Papin's contributions to the field of experimental science.

In 1681, Denis Papin achieved independent notoriety by publishing a paper dedicated to the Royal Society on the pressure cooker. This invention, which he called the steam digester, revolutionized cooking by making it faster and more efficient.

In 1684, Denis Papin found himself out of a job at the Accademia Publicca di Scienze in Venice, as the institution faced financial difficulties and lasted only a few years.

In 1685, the Edict of Nantes was revoked in France, leading to the persecution of Protestant Huguenots. This event forced Denis Papin to give up on the idea of returning to France due to his loyalty to his protestant faith.

In 1687, the Elector of Hesse-Cassel appointed him as a professor of mathematics at the University of Marburg. He began building various machines including a centrifugal ventilator, a machine for making plate glass, and a steam engine.

In 1689, Denis Papin suggested a design involving a force pump or bellows to maintain pressure and fresh air inside a diving bell. This innovation later influenced engineer John Smeaton's work in 1789.

In 1690, he published his first work on the steam engine in his De novis quibusdam machinis. The purpose was to raise water to a canal between Kassel and Karlshaven by using the differences in heated pressures.

On 1 January 1691, Denis Papin married Marie Papin, his cousin, after receiving special dispensation from the landgrave of Hesse, as their desire to marry was initially opposed by the local pastor on the grounds of consanguinity.

Between 1696 and 1707, Denis Papin worked for the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, although this period was not successful as he found himself in disagreement with his colleagues. He eventually returned to London, leaving his wife and step-daughter in Germany.

In 1705, he successfully built a steam engine after concentrating all his efforts on this invention. The engine was described in a book written in Latin in 1707.

In 1707, Denis Papin published 'The New Art of Pumping Water by Using Steam' which showcased his advancements in utilizing steam power for practical applications such as water pumping.

In 1709, Denis Papin constructed a man-powered paddle-wheel boat that successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using paddle wheels instead of oars on steam-driven ships. This innovation marked a significant advancement in marine propulsion technology.

In 1711, Denis Papin introduced the concept of Hessian Bellows, a machine used for producing blasts of air to melt ores, which later served as the foundation for the blast furnace.

Denis Papin's last surviving evidence of whereabouts was a letter dated 23 January 1712, where he expressed his destitute situation. It was believed that he died that year and was buried in an unmarked grave in London.

Denys Papin was buried at St Bride's Church on 26 August 1713, just a few days after his 66th birthday. A memorial plaque has been erected in the West Entrance of St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, to commemorate his life and achievements.

A bronze statue of Denis Papin was raised in his native town of Blois in 1812, a century after his death. This statue commemorates his significant contributions as an inventor.

In 1869, 'La vie et les ouvrages de Denis Papin' was published, providing insights into the life and works of Denis Papin.

In 1880, a statue of Denis Papin was erected in his home city of Blois, recognizing his contributions to steam power and engineering.

In 1935, 'Denys Papin, inventeur et philosophe cosmopolite' was published, shedding light on the inventions and philosophical thoughts of Denis Papin.

In 1947, the tercentenary of Denis Papin was celebrated, recognizing his contributions as a technician. The event was mentioned in the Nature journal.

An article by P. Valenti titled 'Leibniz, Papin and the Steam Engine: A Case Study Of British Sabotage of Science' was published in 1979.

In 1987, the book 'Denis Papin: illustre savant blaisois' by C-A. Klein was published, shedding light on the life and work of Denis Papin.

A publication in Prima philosophia discussing the correspondence between Leibniz and Denis Papin.

An entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography providing information about Denis Papin's life.

In July 2013, there were celebrations commemorating the 300th anniversary of Denis Papin's life in Chitenay, France.

In 2016, a memorial plaque was erected in the West Entrance of St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, to commemorate Denis Papin's life and achievements after the discovery of the place and date of his burial in 1713.

Denis Papin is being recognized through the Papin Awards for technicians. The awards series celebrates technicians and their contributions.