M. Lippmann

Dates

August 16, 1845 – July 13, 1921

Authorized Form of Name

Lippmann, M. (Gabriel), 1845-1921

Additional Forms of Names

Lippmann, Gabriel, 1845-1921

Lippmann, Joseph Ferdinand Gabriel, 1845-1921

Biography

Abstract

Gabriel Lippmann was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1908 "for his method of reproducing colours photographically based on the phenomenon of interference." Throughout his career as a physicist, he contributed to various areas of the field, such as astronomy, thermodynamics, and photochemistry. He developed instruments to aid his work, such as the sensitive capillary electrometer, the coelostat, and a galvanometer.

Important Dates

August 16, 1845Birth, Hollerich (Luxembourg, Luxembourg).

1858Began studies at the Lycée Napoléon (Henry IV College), Paris (France).

1868Admitted to École Normale Supérieure, Paris (France).

1873Given scientific mission by French government to work alongside scholars as research assistant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg (Germany).

1878 – 1921Joined Faculty of Science (1878); Professor of Mathematics (1883); Professor of Experimental Physics (1886); and Director of Research Laboratory (1886-1921), Université de Paris and Paris-Sorbonne, Paris (France).

1881Predicted the reverse effect of the piezoelectric phenomenon, Paris (France).

1886Became Member (1886-1912) and President (1912), Académie des Sciences, Paris (France).

1891Presented theories on the photographic reproduction of color, now known as the Lippmann Process, before the Académie des Sciences, Paris (France).

1893Presented photographic reproduction of color theories with greater success; perfect colors were produced in this round of tests.

1894Published complete theory of the photographic reproduction of color.

1895Developed method of photographic registration and studied irregularities of pendulum clocks.

1908Awarded Nobel Prize of Physics for methods of color reproduction in photography.

July 13, 1921Death, at sea, Atlantic Ocean.