Johann Arzberger

Johann Arzberger (10 April 1778, Arzberg, Sechsämterland, Bayreuth Princedom/(today's) Upper Franconia[1] – 28 December 1835, Vienna) was a German-born Austrian technologist.

He worked as a manager of equipment of the Fürstlich Salm'sche Eisenwerke ("Princely Salm's Ironworks") by Hugo Franz Altgraf zu Salm-Reifferscheidt (1776–1836) in Moravia. From 1816 on, he served as a professor of mechanical technology at the Polytechnic Institute in Vienna. He published scientific articles in the field of mechanics in Gilbert's Annalen der Physik as well as in the Annals of the Polytechnic Institute in Vienna.[2]

Arzberger was a pioneer of urban street lighting — with Johann Joseph von Prechtl (1778-1854), he developed a coal gas production plant for illumination purposes at the institute. In 1818, there were 25 operational public gas lanterns in Vienna. In 1820, he invented an early steam carriage designed for travel on ordinary roads without the need of rails. On weekends and national holidays, he gave lectures free of charge.[3][4]

Career

Johann Arzberger was director of the Royal Salm'sche iron works of Hugo Altgraf Franz of Salm-Reifferscheidt (1776-1836) in Moravia. In 1815 he was invited by the founder of the Imperial Polytechnic Institute (now the Technical University of Vienna) Johann Joseph Prechtl (1778-1854) to apply for the professorship for skilled mechanics and client machines. On 3 January 1816 Arzberger was awarded the Magisterium of practical teaching machines, in March of that year he took over the chair and the following November began lecturing .[5]

In 1816 Arzberger constructed the first major facility for the production of illuminating gas from coal with Prechtl in Vienna and thus was a pioneer of urban street lighting . Vienna was the first city on the European continent, which brought coal gas for lighting streets and public places in a large scale.[6]

As a result of his work on steam power, Arzberger found a practical use for implementing a steam powered carriage in 1820, which could move on ordinary roads without rails or any guidance. The boiler tube used in this case had already been introduced in 1816 at the Vienna Polytechnic.[7]

His fame and popularity among artists and artisans led him to comply with a request to establish free Sunday lectures on mechanical objects. This was so widely popular that it soon was copied by millwrights, carpenters, and masons, and supported as early the principle of "preparation courses" (non-profit training schools).[6][8]

Marriage

Arzberger married Magdalena Holzmann in 1817, through the connection from a relative, Ernestine. However this marriage ended in 1825 with Magdalena's death. On 3 April 1826 Arzberger married Wilhelmina Josepha von Schwind, Moritz von Schwind's sister, and fathered Moritz ( 1827-1892 ), Friedrich ( * 1833, † 1905 in Rindbach at Ebensee ), and Auguste .[9]

Death

Johann Arzberger died on 28 December 1835 on the Wieden No. 54 (Paniglgasse) of apoplexy. He was buried in the cemetery beyond Matzleinsdorf.[9]

Honors

In 1907 in Hernals (Vienna's 17th district) a street was named the Arzbergergasse in memory of the founder of the Imperial Polytechnic Institute.

Writing

Literature

References

  1. ↑ At the time (till 1810) this area was not a territory of the Electorate of Bavaria
  2. ↑ NDB/ADB Deutsche Biographie
  3. ↑ Biography @ aeiou Encyclopedia
  4. ↑ Austria Forum (biography)
  5. ↑ Bauer: Feuilleton. Johann Arzberger, S. 3.
  6. 1 2 Bauer: Feuilleton. Johann Arzberger, S. 6.
  7. ↑ Bauer: Feuilleton. Johann Arzberger, S. 5.
  8. ↑ Bauer: Feuilleton. Johann Arzberger, S. 4.
  9. 1 2 Erfinder der gleichnamigen Seeleuchte. – Siehe: "Arzberger Moriz, Erfinder". In: Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon 1815–1950 (ÖBL). Vol. 1, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1957, p. 32.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/15/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.