Technikatörténeti szemle 11. (1979)

TANULMÁNYOK - Vajda Pál: Creative Hungarians in mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, technical sciences and industry. A selected bio-bibliography

star temperatures. Later he achieved important results in the theory of earthquakes (determination of the depth of seismic activity centres). Kövesligethy’s monographs on mathematical and astronomical geography (1899), and on the Universe (1906), as well as his Latin language „Seismonomia” (Modene, 1906) are still highly valued and his findings are positively discussed at today’s international symposia.

Oltay, K.: Radó v. Kövesligethy (= Gerlands Beiträge zur Geophysik 43/1935 pp. 337—339.), Bartha L.: Kövesligethy as an Astronomer (= Annales Universitatis Scientiarum de R. Eötvös nominatae. Sectio Geologica 6/1963, pp. 13—14.)

DSB

KÜRSCHÁK, József (1864—1933). Mathematician.

His research fields include investigations into determinants, matrices and the theory of numbers.

DSB, WHC

KVASSAY, Jenő (1850—1919). Mechanical engineer.

Kvassay played an eminent role in devising the theory of water regulation and its application. In 1879 he authored a book which was regarded as a classic in agricultural hydraulics. It was Kvassay’s idea to establish the International Danube Commission which came into being thirty years after his death. Kvassay also wrote in 1872 about the desirability of seafaring vessels using Budapest harbor, a dream which has since been realized.

Lászloffy W.: Influences frangaises sur le developpement des services hydrauli- ques de la Hongrie (— Memoires de l’Académie des sciences. Inscriptions et belles-lettres de Toulouse 139/1977. pp. 109—126)

WHC

PÄCZ, Aladár (1870—1938). Chemical engineer.

Invented in 1917 a tungsten filament completely preserving its form upon in- condescence. Pácz tried to mix various substances with the tungsten powder, and after many experiments finally evolved a process by which tungsten is produced in apparently such a pure state that the wire filament, when lighted for the first time, immediately crystallizes in such large over-lapping crystals that it does not materially sag or offset. This invention rendered the large- scale production of incandescent lamps with tungsten filament possible. In 1931 Pátz patented an aluminium alloy — the silumine, which has become generally known in science.

Howell, J. Y.—Schroeder, H.: History of the incandescent lamp, New York 1927. pp. 120—122., Bright, A. A.: The electric-lamp industry, New York 1949. p. 325.

POLLÁK, Antal (1865—1943). Engineer.

Pollák together with József Virág invented in 1898 a rapid telegraph machine of novel design. The first public demonstration of the device was in 1899 and no machines even today could compete with it in terms of simplicity, safety and speed. The letter-typing fast telegraph can forward 40 thousand words per hour in immediately readble script.

Schnelltelegraph von Pollák-Virág (= Umschau 1899. pp. 869., 910., 1903. p. 26.), Journal Officiel de la République Frangaise nr. 146. 31. Mai 1910., Schmidt, G.: Elektrische Telegraphie, Leipzig 1906. pp. 151—153.

VHP

50