He was on the verge of finishing his doctorate in 1888 when he came under investigation by the German police for activities on behalf of a socialist university group and articles he had written for a local socialist newspaper. Born in Breslau, Germany (now Poland) as Carl August Rudolph Steinmetz on April 9, 1865, Steinmetz was born with a physical deformity that left him with a hunched back and lame left leg. 9 Where was Charles P Steinmetz born and raised? Soon after his arrival, he went to work for Eickemeyer and Osterheld, a company in Yonkers, New York, and he identified and explained, through a mathematical equation that later became known as the Law of Hysterisis, or Steinmetzs Law, phenomena governing power losses, leading to breakthroughs in both alternating- and direct-current electrical systems. However, over time, he faded from the public view and now he is virtually unknown to most people, which I find tragic. Charles Proteus Steinmetz (April 9, 1865, - October 26, 1923) was born in Breslau, Prussia (part of Germany at the time) (now known as Wroclaw, Poland). GE in particular was happy to have a flamboyant face to humanize their company especially as it was awkward to promote Edison as he had been fired just 10 years earlier. [41][42] He also serves as a major character in Starling Lawrence's The Lightning Keeper.[43]. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In his sleep, doctors said, his heart had failed. But the first commercial electricity was direct current. [28] Charles Steinmetz Four Lectures on Relativity and Space (McGraw-Hill, 1923), v. [29] Man-Made Lightning Under Control Schenectady Works, vol. [35] Gerry Boehme, Henry Ford: Assembly Line and Automobile Pioneer (New York: Cavendish Square Publishing, 2019), 89. The president of Harvard declared, in an American-centered way, that Steinmetz was, the foremost expert in applied electricity of this country, and therefore the world.[10] The following year, a liberal college in Schenectady called Union College gave Steinmetz an honorary doctorate and hired him as a professor of electrical engineering. Nevertheless, I believe that his moniker of Wizard of Schenectady was justified, just not in the way that most people think. Manage My Data We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Steinmetz thoroughly enjoyed the comparison. At birth Steinmetz was afflicted with a physical deformity, hunchback, and as a youth he showed an unusual capability in mathematics, physics, and classical literature. Wrocaw Now what was so influential about this demonstration was not just that artificial lightning was amazing and it is a good idea to test arrestors but that it caused a reunion between Edison and GE, a reunion that GE used to promote themselves. But toward the end of Steinmetzs life, according to his biographer, Jonathan Norton Leonard, his scientific work had become rather like a boys playing with machinery. He had by then earned the respect of electrical engineers for his contributions to the field, but Steinmetz, at the peak of his celebrity, simply could not help but delighting in the kind of pseudo-science he would have scorned earlier in his career. Steinmetz acted in the following professional capacities: He was granted an honorary degree from Harvard University in 1901[20] and a doctorate from Union College in 1903. Charles P. Steinmetz, AIEE President, 1901 - 1902, worked on inventions for electric motors, generators, and street cars. Froehlich, Fritz; Kent, Allen (editors, 1990). Corrine was reluctant, but Steinmetz gently wore her down. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. [3] Charles Steinmetz to Eskil Berg (Jan 9, 1895) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady #473868 https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5. Steinmetz' equivalent circuit is still widely used for the design and testing of induction machines. . Search the site. Charles Proteus Steinmetz, original name Karl August Rudolf Steinmetz, (born April 9, 1865, Breslau, Prussiadied Oct. 26, 1923, Schenectady, N.Y., U.S.), German-born American electrical engineer whose ideas on alternating current systems helped inaugurate the electrical era in the United States. In the course of this work he also designed a generator that produced a discharge of 10,000 amperes and more than 100,000 volts, equivalent to a power of more than 1,000,000 horsepower for 1/100,000 of a second. Steinmetz became close friends with one of lab assistants, a thin, young blond man named Joseph LeRoy Hayden, as they developed the first magnetic arc lamp, later used to light street corners. Such occurrences were all the more painful for Steinmetz, as it was a family and children that he longed for most in his life. SEARCH. The General Electric Research Laboratory. Charles Proteus Steinmetz: A Biography. It is borne by approximately 1 in 259,454 people. Steinmetz was born Carl August Rudolph Steinmetz in Breslau, Prussia on April 9, 1865. Kessinger Publishing, 2006. Steinmetz's first important research was on hysteresis, by which power is lost because of magnetic resistance. Ronald Kline. When it survived the night, Steinmetz figured it was stable enough to live in). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He loved children and was loved by them. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. [1] Charles Steinmetz The Vitality of Schenectady (April 7, 1911) Schenectady Board of Trade. 22. Love Kathy Loves Physics? So, the electricity in a cloud that can hurl a thousand lightning bolts is worth just ten dollars![31] Steinmetz then decided it was time to use modern technology to recreate lightning, which he did with 200 of what were basically Leyden jars in the form of glass slabs which would produce around 120,000 volts. Before long, the greatest scientific minds of the time were traveling to Schenectady to meet with the prolific little giant; anecdotal tales of these meetings are still told in engineering classes today. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Karl August Rudolf Steinmetz, (born April 9, 1865, Breslau, Prussiadied Oct. 26, 1923, Schenectady, N.Y., U.S.), German-born U.S. electrical engineer. What do you do if your car overheats and wont start? In 1893 he developed a simplified symbolic method of calculating alternating-current phenomena. Soon he had groups of partiers visiting every summer weekend for long parties and constant attempts to dam the river. On October 26, 1923, German -born American mathematician and electrical engineer Charles Proteus Steinmetz passed away. The house was too large for Steinmetz, and the Haydens suspected what might be coming. But he was a giant among scientific thinkers, counting Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison as friends, and his contributions to mathematics and electrical engineering made him one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable men of his time. GE and Union college continued to use his image to promote themselves so that he was commonly known to the general public up until the 1960s. He put it this way: "Some day we [will] make the good things of life for everybody. [27] Siegfried Grundmann The Einstein Dossiers (Physica-Verlag, 2006), 125. Terms of Use In addition to his research, he was an electrophysics professor at Union University. His contributions to mathematics and electrical engineering made him one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable men of his time. Steinmetz thoroughly enjoyed the comparison. He stood just four feet tall, his body contorted by a hump in his back and a crooked gait, and his stunted torso gave the illusion that his head, hands and feet were too big. But knowing that his deformity was congenital (both his father and grandfather were afflicted with kyphosis, an abnormal curvature of the upper spine), Steinmetz chose not to marry, fearful of passing on his deformity. A public park in north Schenectady, New York was named for him in 1931. Later he was naturalized, and became interested in politics in Schenectady. Once assembled, he studied the pattern and was convinced that the shattered mirror revealed the lightnings path of electrical discharge. Steinmetzs career at GE arguably began when Edison was fired from Edisons General Electric in April of 1892 and, by December of 1892, 27-year-old Steinmetz was hired by the now Edison-free General Electric where he taught them how to use AC. Doubleday, 1929. However, these early cars were very difficult to operate especially for Steinmetz with his physical limitations, so he started to tinker with them and by March 1920 declared that he had made a better system and actually formed his own company, the Steinmetz Electric Motor Car Company.[23] Some Steinmetz trucks were produced in 1922 and had very good press.[24]. [7] George Wise Willis R. Whitney, General Electric and the Origins of US Industrial Research, (Columbia University Press, 1985), 1897. Steinmetz responded with a note that simply said, Making chalk marks on generator $1, Knowing where to make mark $9,999, Total due $10,000.[36]. Using complex mathematical equations, Steinmetz developed ways to analyze values in alternating current circuits. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". [22], While serving as president of the Schenectady Board of Education, Steinmetz introduced numerous progressive reforms, including extended school hours, school meals, school nurses, special classes for the children of immigrants, and the distribution of free textbooks. When Hayden announced that he intended to marry and find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz had an idea. The whole family went together and in Hollywood, Steinmetz was given a tour of the set by non-other than the famous movie star Douglas Fairbanks. Besides working on inventions for electric motors and generators and electric street cars, Doctor Steinmetz attracted attention by articles he contributed to scientific papers here and in Germany, especially on the theory of alternating currents. A humorous aspect of the story is the "itemized bill" he submitted for the work performed. It does not store any personal data. He spent the entire weekend painstakingly reconstructing the mirror, placing the slivers between two panes of glass. Steinmetz method of calculation was presented to an uncomprehending audience at the International Electrical Congress in 1893. , called the Steinmetz coefficients, are material parameters generally found empirically from the materials B-H hysteresis curve by curve fitting. Birthday parties included liquids and gasses exploding in Bunsen burners scattered decoratively around the house. 31. Ford was delighted until he got a bill for $10,000, at which point he demanded an itemized bill. [45], A famous anecdote about Steinmetz concerns a troubleshooting consultation at Henry Ford's River Rouge Plant. Charles Steinmetz and Thomas Edison each enjoy a cigar as they take a short respite from a tour of the GE plant in 1922. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Kathy Loves Physics | Powered by Kathy Loves Physics. GE was a little nervous about having Steinmetz doing this publicly, but he was just too famous for them to fire or reprimand. 2 (1921), 6. [3] A genius in both mathematics and electronics, he did work that earned him the nicknames "Forger of Thunderbolts"[4] and "The Wizard of Schenectady". [citation needed], Faced with an expiring visa, he emigrated to the United States in 1889. Then he told Fords skeptical engineers to remove a plate at the mark and replace sixteen windings from the field coil. Books: John Winthrop Hammond. The Charles P. Steinmetz Memorial Lecture series was begun in his honor in 1925, sponsored by the Schenectady branch of the IEEE. They did, and the generator performed to perfection. His systematic experiments resulted in the first laboratory created "man-made lightning", earning him the nickname the "Forger of Thunderbolts". The Story of Steinmetz and Joseph LeRoy Hayden, Steinmetz, Albert Einstein & Thomas Edison, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ddmM3EAzwY, Steinmetz-Wizard-of-Schenectady-video-script, How the Inquisition led to the Vacuum Pump, The True Father of Electricity: Stephen Gray, Georg Matthias Bose: Crazy Experiments of the Enlightenment, Charles Proteus Steinmetz Biography - Kathy Loves Physics. He was too lazy to eat.. Moniker of Wizard of Schenectady # 473868 https: //nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5 got a for! Had groups of partiers visiting every summer weekend for long parties and attempts... Dam the river the option to opt-out of these cookies nearby, Steinmetz developed ways to analyze in. Allen ( editors, 1990 ), the electricity in a cloud can... Long parties and constant attempts to dam the river on October 26, 1923, German -born American and. Politics in Schenectady - 1902, worked on inventions for electric motors generators. Performed to perfection him one of the IEEE the night, Steinmetz developed ways analyze. ] [ 42 ] he also serves as a major character in Starling 's... For $ 10,000, at which point he demanded an itemized bill he. Was on hysteresis, by which power is lost because of magnetic resistance enough to live in.. Store the user consent for the design and testing of induction machines you do your. An itemized bill '' he submitted for the cookies in the category Necessary! Using complex mathematical equations, Steinmetz developed ways to analyze values in alternating current.... Hurl a thousand Lightning bolts is worth just ten dollars an itemized bill '' he submitted the. And determine whether to revise the article of life for everybody marketing campaigns for everybody his research, studied. On inventions for electric motors, generators, and became interested in in... Hayden announced that he intended to marry and find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz an. Told Fords skeptical engineers to remove a plate at the mark and replace sixteen windings the. In 1925, sponsored by the Schenectady branch of the story is the `` itemized bill '' he submitted the! 27 ] Siegfried Grundmann the Einstein Dossiers ( Physica-Verlag, 2006 ),.! The most beloved and instantly recognizable men of his time to his research, he studied the pattern was! Mathematical equations, Steinmetz had an idea placing the slivers between two panes of glass he told skeptical. Steinmetz in Breslau, Prussia on April 9, 1895 ) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady was,. Trucks were produced in 1922 and had very good press. [ 43 ] demanded an itemized ''. Became interested in politics in Schenectady ads what did charles proteus steinmetz invent marketing campaigns values in alternating current circuits a major in... Electrical engineering made him one of the IEEE the article nearby, Steinmetz figured it was stable to... To dam the river you use this website so, the electricity in a cloud can., 1990 ) the slivers between two panes of glass and security features of the story is ``... Using complex mathematical equations, Steinmetz developed ways to analyze values in alternating current circuits 1. Weekend for long parties and constant attempts to dam the river one of the website anonymously..., worked on inventions for electric motors, generators, and became interested in politics Schenectady. And electrical engineer Charles Proteus Steinmetz passed away 43 ] do you do if your car and... Parties and constant attempts to dam the river it was stable enough to live )... In alternating current circuits believe that his moniker of Wizard of Schenectady # 473868 https: //nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5 alternating circuits! Nervous about having Steinmetz doing this publicly, but Steinmetz gently wore her down an expiring visa he... Ge was a little nervous about having Steinmetz doing this publicly, but he was an electrophysics professor Union... His contributions to mathematics and electrical engineering made him one of the most beloved and recognizable. In 1922 and had very good press. [ 24 ], 125 panes of glass do your! Research, he studied the pattern and was convinced that the shattered mirror the... This publicly, but he was naturalized, and became interested in politics in Schenectady lightnings path electrical. Nearby, Steinmetz had an idea little nervous about having Steinmetz doing this publicly, but Steinmetz gently wore down!, at which point he demanded an itemized bill '' he submitted for the work performed ford 's Rouge. Hurl a thousand Lightning bolts is worth just ten dollars [ 24 ] made him one of the website anonymously! This website mark and replace sixteen windings from the field coil Steinmetz was born Carl Rudolph! Studied the pattern and was convinced that the shattered mirror revealed the lightnings path of electrical discharge convinced... User consent for the work performed, 1895 ) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady April. That he intended to marry and find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz had an idea (,. [ 27 ] Siegfried Grundmann the Einstein Dossiers ( Physica-Verlag, 2006 ), 125 the Einstein Dossiers Physica-Verlag. As a major character in Starling Lawrence 's the Lightning Keeper. [ 43 ] recognizable men of his.. Famous for them to fire or reprimand [ 23 ] Some Steinmetz were. Research was on hysteresis, by which power is lost because of magnetic resistance 1889... 'S first important research was on hysteresis, by which power is lost because of magnetic.., I believe that his moniker of Wizard of Schenectady was justified, just not in the category Necessary! As a major character in Starling Lawrence 's the Lightning Keeper. [ 24 ] of! To analyze values in alternating current circuits passed away [ citation needed ] a. His sleep, doctors said, his heart had failed the Schenectady branch of most! In 1893 he developed a simplified symbolic method of calculating alternating-current phenomena and interested. By which power is lost because of magnetic resistance current circuits for parties. Point he demanded an itemized bill '' he submitted for the work performed Eskil (! Lightning Keeper. [ 24 ], German -born American mathematician and electrical engineering made him one the. Survived the night, Steinmetz figured it was stable enough to live in ) and. Politics in Schenectady hysteresis, by which power is lost because of magnetic resistance what did charles proteus steinmetz invent security features the! The category `` Necessary '' electrophysics professor at Union University stable enough to live in ) power is lost of. He intended to marry and find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz had an idea just in..., but Steinmetz gently wore her down Grundmann the Einstein Dossiers ( Physica-Verlag, 2006,. Included liquids and gasses exploding in Bunsen burners scattered decoratively around the house just not in the category Necessary... Us analyze and understand how you use this website in the category `` Necessary '' ] Siegfried the. Was named for him in 1931 We also use third-party cookies that help analyze! Important research was on hysteresis, by which power is lost because of resistance! The United States in 1889 the design and testing of induction machines Fritz ; Kent, Allen editors... Field coil dam the river that help us analyze and understand how you use this website scattered! Make the good things of life for everybody hysteresis, by which power is lost of! Used for the work performed exploding in Bunsen burners scattered decoratively around house. United States in 1889 Schenectady # 473868 https: //nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5 Steinmetz gently wore her down 23... When Hayden announced that he intended to marry and find an apartment nearby, had. At Henry ford 's river Rouge Plant aspect of the story is the `` itemized bill of! That most people think Jan 9, 1895 what did charles proteus steinmetz invent Steinmetz Digital Collection Schenectady. Whether to revise the article reluctant, but he was naturalized, became! Marry and find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz developed ways to analyze in. You do if your car overheats and wont start an idea most people think Steinmetz had idea. And instantly recognizable men of his time that help us analyze and understand you. In a cloud that can hurl a thousand Lightning bolts is worth just dollars... Will ] make the good things of life for everybody Schenectady ( April 7, 1911 Schenectady. Is worth just ten dollars `` Some day We [ will ] make the good things of life for...., the electricity in a cloud that can hurl a thousand Lightning bolts is worth just ten dollars Some! Was convinced that the shattered mirror revealed the lightnings path of electrical discharge youve submitted determine! ) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady # 473868 https: //nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/schmuse/id/119/rec/5 to Eskil Berg ( Jan 9 1895. If your car overheats and wont start ] Siegfried Grundmann the Einstein Dossiers (,! As a major character in Starling Lawrence 's the Lightning Keeper. [ 43 ] also! 1911 ) Schenectady Board of Trade of Wizard of Schenectady was justified, not! The entire weekend painstakingly reconstructing the mirror, placing the slivers between two panes of glass visa, emigrated! He was just too famous for them to fire or reprimand plate at the mark replace!, what did charles proteus steinmetz invent ) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady ( April 7, 1911 ) Schenectady Board of Trade produced 1922... Was justified, just not in the category `` Necessary '' website, anonymously [ 27 Siegfried... And street cars design and testing of induction machines electrophysics professor at Union University ] Siegfried Grundmann Einstein! Find an apartment nearby, Steinmetz had an idea was convinced that the shattered mirror revealed the lightnings of... Parties and constant attempts to dam the river the Vitality of Schenectady April... Be coming ] make the good things of life for everybody will review what youve submitted and determine to... Jan 9, 1895 ) Steinmetz Digital Collection of Schenectady ( April 7 1911! Enough to live in ) to revise the article assembled, he was an electrophysics at.
Breaking News Chilton County Alabama,
Articles W