200th anniversary of the birth of Jozef Maximilián Petzval

200 Sk Commemorative Silver Coin

Jozef Maximilian Petzval (6. 1. 1807 – 17. 9 1891) – physicist, mathematician, university professor, inventor, pioneer of modern optics and photography, was an important representative of 19th century science and technology.

His scientific and research work was devoted especially to optics. His main contribution was calculation of the correction of optical systems and calculation of complex optical systems. In 1840, he calculated the parameters for a new, substantially improved portrait lens, and later also the parameters for a landscape lens. These inventions substantially widened the possibilities for photography. He perfected the microscope and telescope, and constructed a projecting lens with great luminosity. He contributed to the development of acoustics, created the theory of the oscillation of stretched strings and concerned himself with analytic mechanics, especially with questions of the stability of bridges, funiculars and high buildings. He wrote a work about differential equations, many expert studies and articles. He was a member of the Academy in Vienna and of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.