Horror, happenings and highlights in the history of vacuum physics
Abstract
The origin of vacuum physics can be traced back to a statement of Aristotle that a vacuum cannot exist, which was questioned by Otto von Guericke. He tried to answer the question by experiment and was one of the most successful personalities to overcome medieval thought, and to pave the way to a new vistas for science and technology. His life and his famous demonstrations are described and a short account of the development of his apparatus and the impact on research in various countries is discussed. A list of old and newer reviews concludes the article.
- Publication:
-
Progress In Surface Science
- Pub Date:
- December 1998
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0079-6816(98)00056-2
- Bibcode:
- 1998PrSS...59..301K