Tech Directions - September 2007 - (Page 9)

technology’s past Dennis Karwatka d.karwat@morehead-st.edu Denis Papin: An Early Industrial Scientist Pressure cookers, air compressors and steam engines all use the properties of pressure. Fluid power was a new idea and not well understood in the late 17th century. French technologist Denis Papin, one of the first industrial scientists in the field, used his technical insights to help lay the foundation of fluid power. Papin was born near Blois in westcentral France in 1647. His father was a government official, but little is known of his early Denis Papin family life. Papin received his primary education from monks and went on to earn a medical degree from the University of Angers in 1669. He may have practiced medicine for the next two years, but he never enjoyed the profession. Papin became interested in the elastic properties of air. He accepted a position in Paris with the Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens (1629– 1695). Papin’s work with Huygens centered on developing a piston-type air pump. He hoped to create a vacuum as a method for preserving food. Papin was involved in the Calvinist religion, which came under persecution in France. After three years with Huygens, Papin moved to England in 1674 and found employment with British scientist Robert Boyle (1627–1691). France lost many other intellectuals, and Papin never returned to his native country. He lived in England, Germany, and Italy. Typically moving every few years, his work was sponsored by various societies and individuals. He was among the first industrial scientists, a term that describes those people Reproduced by permission of the Trustees of the Science Museum who conduct basic investigations that others use to develop useful products. Industrial science was a new approach to science and technology and not appreciated at the time. Papin often found himself short of money. Papin’s bestknown invention was the 1679 pressure cooker, which he called a “digester.” It was a closed metal container that used a small amount of water to cook food placed inside. When (1647–1712) heated over a fire with a tightly fitting lid, the water became pressurized and boiled at a higher temperature. It cooked food more rapidly and completely. A safety valve of Papin’s own design prevented explosions. The invention gained him membership into London’s prestigious Royal Society. Papin also developed a twincylinder, double-acting air pump. Air was drawn from the atmosphere into one cylinder at the same time it was pushed out of the other. Depending on the piping to a receiving vessel, it could operate as either a compressor or vacuum pump. The air pump is considered to be one of Papin’s most important technical contributions. The image above shows Papin holding a drawing of his air pump. Papin became director of experiments in Replica of 1681 for a scientific acadPapin’s air emy in Venice, Italy, but pump it closed down after three years. He returned to England and took a similar position at the Royal Society. Papin’s career included a position for eight years as professor of mathematics at the University of Marburg near Period drawing of Frankfurt, Papin’s 1679 Germany. pressure cooker During this time, he investigated chemical means for preserving food. His work with piston air pumps and steam led him to investigate the concepts of a steam engine. Although he never built a practical engine, Papin laid the groundwork for others who followed. He even considered how a steam engine might propel a boat and was the first to use paddles, instead of oars, to move a boat. Powered by hand, his experimental paddleboat operated on Germany’s Fulda River in 1707. Boatmen who thought it might threaten their livelihood destroyed it. Papin soon returned to London and lived out his life on a small stipend provided by the Royal Society. He was difficult to get along with, and none of his projects ever proved financially rewarding. He died in about 1712. References Day, Lance, & McNeil, Ian. (1996). Biographical dictionary of the history of technology. Routledge Press. Derry, T. K., & Williams, Trevor I. (1961). A short history of technology. Oxford University Press. McCloy, Shelby T. French inventions of the eighteenth century. University of Kentucky Press. Van Helden, Albert. (1995). The Galileo project. Rice University. Dennis Karwatka is professor emeritus, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Morehead (KY) State University. www.techdirections.com TECHNOLOGY’S PAST 9 http://www.techdirections.com

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Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Dome, Sweet Dome—Geodesic Structures Teach Math, Science, and Technology Principles Help Students Become Wise Energy Consumers How Does FERPA Affect You? Camera Operator and Videographer e-gallery Product Central Free for the Asking More than Fun

Tech Directions - September 2007

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