Ernst Waldfried Josef Wenzel Mach was an Austrian physicist and philosopher, noted for his contributions to physics such as study of shock waves. source
Ernst Waldfried Josef Wenzel Mach was an Austrian physicist and philosopher, noted for his contributions to physics such as study of shock waves.
The ratio of one's speed to that of sound is named the Mach number in Ernst Mach honor. source
The ratio of one's speed to that of sound is named the Mach number in Ernst Mach honor.
As a philosopher of science, Ernst Mach was a major influence on logical positivism, American pragmatism and through his criticism of Newton's theories of space and time, foreshadowing Einstein's theory of relativity. source
As a philosopher of science, Ernst Mach was a major influence on logical positivism, American pragmatism and through his criticism of Newton's theories of space and time, foreshadowing Einstein's theory of relativity.
Ernst Mach was born in Brno-Chrlice, Moravia (then in the Austrian empire, now part of Brno in the Czech Republic). source
Ernst Mach was born in Brno-Chrlice, Moravia (then in the Austrian empire, now part of Brno in the Czech Republic).
Despite his Catholic background, Ernst Mach later became an atheist and his theory and life is compared with Buddhism. source
Despite his Catholic background, Ernst Mach later became an atheist and his theory and life is compared with Buddhism.
Up to the age of 14, Ernst Mach received his education at home from his parents. He then entered a Gymnasium in Kromeriz, where he studied for three years. source
Up to the age of 14, Ernst Mach received his education at home from his parents. He then entered a Gymnasium in Kromeriz, where he studied for three years.
In 1855 Ernst Mach became a student at the University of Vienna. There he studied physics and for one semester medical physiology. source
In 1855 Ernst Mach became a student at the University of Vienna. There he studied physics and for one semester medical physiology.
Ernst Mach's early work focused on the Doppler effect in optics and acoustics. source
Ernst Mach's early work focused on the Doppler effect in optics and acoustics.
In 1864 Ernst Mach took a job as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Graz, having turned down the position of a chair in surgery at the University of Salzburg to do so, and in 1866 he was appointed as Professor of Physics. source
In 1864 Ernst Mach took a job as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Graz, having turned down the position of a chair in surgery at the University of Salzburg to do so, and in 1866 he was appointed as Professor of Physics.
In 1867, Ernst Mach took the chair of Experimental Physics at the Charles University, Prague, where he stayed for 28 years before returning to Vienna. source
In 1867, Ernst Mach took the chair of Experimental Physics at the Charles University, Prague, where he stayed for 28 years before returning to Vienna.
Ernst Mach's main contribution to physics involved his description and photographs of spark shock-waves and then ballistic shock-waves. source
Ernst Mach's main contribution to physics involved his description and photographs of spark shock-waves and then ballistic shock-waves.
Ernst Mach described how when a bullet or shell moved faster than the speed of sound, it created a compression of air in front of it. source
Ernst Mach described how when a bullet or shell moved faster than the speed of sound, it created a compression of air in front of it.
Using schlieren photography, Ernst Mach and his son Ludwig were able to photograph the shadows of the invisible shock waves. source
Using schlieren photography, Ernst Mach and his son Ludwig were able to photograph the shadows of the invisible shock waves.
Ernst Mach also made many contributions to psychology and physiology, including his anticipation of gestalt phenomena. source
Ernst Mach also made many contributions to psychology and physiology, including his anticipation of gestalt phenomena.
Ernst Mach's discovery of the oblique effect and of Mach bands, an inhibition-influenced type of visual illusion, and especially his discovery of a non-acoustic function of the inner ear which helps control human balance. source
Ernst Mach's discovery of the oblique effect and of Mach bands, an inhibition-influenced type of visual illusion, and especially his discovery of a non-acoustic function of the inner ear which helps control human balance.
One of the best-known of Ernst Mach's ideas is the so-called "Mach principle," concerning the physical origin of inertia. source
One of the best-known of Ernst Mach's ideas is the so-called "Mach principle," concerning the physical origin of inertia.
Ernst Mach also became well known for his philosophy developed in close interplay with his science. Mach defended a type of phenomenalism recognizing only sensations as real. source
Ernst Mach also became well known for his philosophy developed in close interplay with his science. Mach defended a type of phenomenalism recognizing only sensations as real.
Ernst Mach famously declared, after an 1897 lecture by Ludwig Boltzmann at the Imperial Academy of Science in Vienna: "I don't believe that atoms exist!” source
Ernst Mach famously declared, after an 1897 lecture by Ludwig Boltzmann at the Imperial Academy of Science in Vienna: "I don't believe that atoms exist!”
From 1895 to 1901, Ernst Mach held a newly created chair for "the history and philosophy of the inductive sciences" at the University of Vienna. source
From 1895 to 1901, Ernst Mach held a newly created chair for "the history and philosophy of the inductive sciences" at the University of Vienna.
Ernst Mach is attributed with a number of principles that distill his ideal of physical theorisation—what is now called "Machian physics". source
Ernst Mach is attributed with a number of principles that distill his ideal of physical theorisation—what is now called "Machian physics".
In the area of sensory perception, psychologists remember Ernst Mach for the optical illusion called Mach bands. source
In the area of sensory perception, psychologists remember Ernst Mach for the optical illusion called Mach bands.
