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Torricelli invents the barometer, 1643
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Torricelli invents the barometer, 1643
Torricelli invents the barometer. In 1643 the Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) constructed a tube that was sealed at the top, around a metre long, and filled with mercury. He then upended it in a bowl of mercury, and observed that the resulting column fluctuated with atmospheric pressure. This artwork is from a series of illustrated French encyclopedia volumes, published by the Epinal printing firm in the late 19th and early 20th century. The series was called Serie encyclopedique des lecons de choses illustrees (Encyclopedic series of object lessons illustrated), and this example is from a volume published in around 1900
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Media ID 6334979
© Credit : CCI
1600s 17th Century 1900 1900s Barometer Bowl Device Epinal Experimenting French Illustrated Encyclopedia Inventing Invention Italian Italy Measuring Instrument Mercury Meteorological Meteorology Physicist Pioneering Pisa Renaissance Scientist Surname T Thirties Tube Tuscany Weather 1643 Atmospheric Pressure Evangelista Torricelli Physical
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This print captures the pivotal moment in history when Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli revolutionized our understanding of atmospheric pressure by inventing the barometer. In 1643, Torricelli ingeniously constructed a sealed tube filled with mercury and submerged it upside down in a bowl of the same liquid metal. Through careful observation, he discovered that the height of the mercury column fluctuated in response to changes in atmospheric pressure. The artwork itself is part of an illustrious series called "Serie encyclopedique des lecons de choses illustrees" (Encyclopedic series of object lessons illustrated), published by Epinal printing firm during the late 19th and early 20th century. This particular piece originates from a volume printed around 1900. The image showcases Torricelli's pioneering spirit as he delves into scientific research and experimentation. It transports us back to Tuscany, Italy during the Renaissance period, where this brilliant mind hails from. The artist skillfully portrays Torricelli engrossed in his work, surrounded by his innovative invention - a testament to human ingenuity. As we admire this historical masterpiece, we are reminded of how technological advancements have shaped our world today. The barometer remains an essential meteorological instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure and predicting weather patterns. Its significance cannot be understated, making this artwork not only visually stunning but also deeply symbolic of mankind's relentless pursuit of knowledge throughout history.
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