Angelo Bellani (1776 - 1852) was an Italian priest who also took an interest in physics and is best known for his work in the measurement of temperature and humidity using instruments and his inventions included a temperature recording thermograph. He started a company for producing standardized thermometers.
Bellani was born in Monza where he trained to become a priest. He also took an interest in physics and was involved in debates with
Alessandro Volta on the origin of hail. He also argued against the ideas of
Paolo Beltrami
Paolo is both a given name and a surname, the Italian form of the name Paul. Notable people with the name include:
People with the given name Paolo
Art
*Paolo Alboni (1671–1734), Italian painter
*Paolo Abbate (1884–1973), Italian-American ...
. Bellani noted that thermometers had problems with the stability of their zero point (0°C as marked by placing in ice) due to defects in their construction and the quality of glass used. He also used a U shaped glass that inspired
James Six to produce the
minimum-maximum thermometer. In 1820 Bellani invented a device for measuring evaporation that was called an atmometer. Modified versions of the Bellani plate evaporimeter are still in use. He invented a hygrometer using a fish bladder in 1836. Another innovation was his pyranometer to measure solar radiation which was a closed glass capsule in which alcohol was evaporated by solar radiation and the condensate being measured. He also wrote on the trails of meteors suggesting that they might remain at high altitude due to the lack of movement of the upper atmosphere.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellani, Angelo
1776 births
1852 deaths
Italian priests
Italian meteorologists