Johann Andreas von Segner (, , , ; October 9, 1704 – October 5, 1777) was a Hungarian scientist of German descent. He was born in the Kingdom of Hungary, in the former Hungarian capital city of Pozsony, or Pressburg (today Bratislava).
Early life and education
Johann Segner was born to Johann Michael von Segner and his wife Christine von Segner (née Fischer) on probably the 10 October 1704. Other sources mention also the 4 or the 9 October. in the Kingdom of Hungary; by the 18th century. In 1596 the family was granted nobility for their military accomplishments by Rudolph II. During his stay in Jena, he was supported by Hermann Friedrich Teichmeyer, who lectured at the faculty of medicine. In October 1729, he graduated under Simon Paul Hirscher from the faculty of medicine. After Hamberger was denied his resignation from the University of Jena, he suggested von Segner instead. Euler suggested Daniel Bernoulli who did not accept. In Halle he also established an observatory. Von Segner died on the 5 October 1777.
Connections
One of the best-known scientists of his age, Segner was a member of the academies of Berlin, London, and Saint Petersburg. According to Mathematics Genealogy Project, as of February 2013, he has over 66 thousand academic descendants, out of the total 170 thousand mathematicians in the database.
Contributions
He was the first scientist to use the reactive force of water and constructed the first water-jet, the Segner wheel, which resembles one type of modern lawn sprinkler. Segner, also produced the first proof of Descartes' rule of signs. Historians of science remember him as the father of the water turbine. The lunar crater Segner is named after him, as is asteroid 28878 Segner.
Personal life
In 1732, he married Carolina Sophia, the daughter of Hermann Friedrich Teichmeier.