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Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814) was an American inventor as well as a physicist who developed a theory that involved heat and energy. ^[1]Interestingly enough, his work with the army would later lead to his future legacy. Benjamin Thompson's field of work began in his occupation of producing canons and their relation with heat. Benjamin Thompson would also contribute a very important idea: heat is a form of motion. ^[2] How cool is Benjamin Thompson for being one of the main contributors of the understanding of heat? If that's not enough, where on earth did you think mechanisms like fireplaces, chimneys, double boilers, kitchen ranges, coffee pots, and thermal underwear come from? That's right, Benjamin Thompson.

Early life

The genius Benjamin Thompson was born on March 26, 1753 in Woburn, Massachusetts. He attended a village school, Cambridge, and also went to listen to lectures at Harvard. ^[3] Later, when he turned 13 he got a job in Salem working with a local merchant. At age 18, he became engaged to a wealthy widow and lead a successful life.^[4]In 1785, Thompson became involved with the military and left to join the Austrian Army, which would lead up to his future experiments with heat..^[5]

Important contributions

After he left to Bavaria, he became involved in an occupation that would enable him to work in the military field and revise horse guards, gunpowder, firearms, and mostly the production of canons. ^[6] He discovered that to assemble the canon barrels, a small piece of the solid metal was to be drilled carefully. Because of the force of heat being pushed into the metal, water was poured onto the mechanism to cool it down. The effect of this sub-conscience "experiment" was a liquid from the drill called “caloric heat.” Benjamin concluded that effect that the drill had on the metal was changed into heat and ultimately it became a form of motion. ^[7]

Later he observed methods of insulation such as feathers, wool, and fur. Benjamin Thompson experimentation with gunpowder was extremely successful. ^[8] Benjamin Thompson also introduced innovations such as, fireplaces, chimneys, double boilers, kitchen ranges, coffee pots, and thermal underwear. The Rumford Fireplace is a very remarkable contribution from Benjamin Thompson. It is tall, shallow, and extremely more convenient to radiate heat all around the designated area. Because Benjamin Thompson was working for the military, he was also involved in the government. After his many significant contributions, he was anointed the title of the "Count of The Holy Roman Empire".^[9] Lastly, when he returned to England in 1795, years to follow he presented his theory of heat produced by a motion of particles in 1798 to the paper known as the Royal Society.

Later Life

^[10] In 1804, he married Antoine Lavoisier's rich widow Marie-Anne Lavoisier, years after his first wife's death. He continued his work in Paris. He had a daughter who inherited his title of the Royal Society. Not only did Benjamin Thompson develop on a theory of heat, but he also made technological advances on militant tools, and was crowned Count of the Holy Roman Empire. Incredible! Aside from that, there is a very efficient fireplace, and you know it as the Rumford Fireplace. ^[11] Benjamin Thompson died on August 21, 1814 leaving nothing but remarkable contributions behind.

References

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