Paul Traugott Meissner
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Paul Traugott Meissner (23 March 1778, Mediasch,
Transylvania Transylvania ( or ; ; or ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Siweberjen'') is a List of historical regions of Central Europe, historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and ...
– 9 July 1864) was an Austrian
chemist A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a graduated scientist trained in the study of chemistry, or an officially enrolled student in the field. Chemists study the composition of ...
. In 1797 he moved to
Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
, where he attended lectures given by
Joseph Franz von Jacquin Joseph "Krystel" Franz Freiherr von Jacquin or Baron Joseph von Jacquin (7 February 1766, in Schemnitz (now Banská Štiavnica) – 26 October 1839, in Vienna) was an Austrian scientist who studied medicine, chemistry, zoology and botany. ...
(1766-1839). Later, he continued his studies on a tour through Germany. He earned a degree as magister of
pharmacy Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medication, medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it ...
from the
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, subsequently returning to Transylvania, where he took over management of a pharmacy in
Kronstadt Kronstadt (, ) is a Russian administrative divisions of Saint Petersburg, port city in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal cities of Russia, federal city of Saint Petersburg, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg, near the head ...
. Beginning in 1815 he served as an adjunct at the newly founded Polytechnic Institute in Vienna, where shortly afterwards, he became a professor of technical chemistry. In 1842 he was appointed director of the department of general chemistry. Best known for his research in the field of heating technology, he is credited with development of a hot-air
central heating system A central heating system provides warmth to a number of spaces within a building from one main source of heat. A central heating system has a Furnace (central heating), furnace that converts fuel or electricity to heat through processes. The he ...
. He conducted experiments with heating systems for
steamship A steamship, often referred to as a steamer, is a type of steam-powered vessel, typically ocean-faring and seaworthy, that is propelled by one or more steam engines that typically move (turn) propellers or paddlewheels. The first steamships ...
s and
railway carriage A railroad car, railcar ( American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truc ...
s and also created a fuel-efficient cooking range. In 1820, Meissner's air heating system was tried out at a
sugar refinery A sugar refinery is a refinery which processes raw sugar from cane or sugar extracted from beets into white refined sugar. Cane sugar mills traditionally produce raw sugar, which is sugar that still contains molasses, giving it color ...
in Vienna. Described as a free thinker, Meissner was known for his controversial views that made adversaries out of contemporaries that included Vienna technologist
Johann Joseph von Prechtl Johann Joseph Ritter von Prechtl (16 November 1778, Bischofsheim, Grand-Dukal Würzburg (today's) Lower Franconia 28 October 1854, Wieden No. 54 (today's Paniglgasse, 4th district of Vienna)) was a German-born Austrian (since 1802) technologi ...
(1778-1854). German chemist
Justus Liebig Justus ''Freiherr'' von Liebig (12 May 1803 – 18 April 1873) was a German scientist who made major contributions to the theory, practice, and pedagogy of chemistry, as well as to agricultural and biological chemistry; he is considered one of ...
(1803-1873) specifically blamed Meissner for what he perceived was the plight of Austrian chemistry. Since 1910, the ''Meißnergasse'' in the
Donaustadt Donaustadt (; "Danube City") is the 22nd district of Vienna, Austria (). Donaustadt is the easternmost district of Vienna.Statistik Austria, 2007, webpagestatistik.at-23450. Wien.gv.at webpage (see below: References). Geography The Donaustadt ...
district of Vienna has been named in his honor.Statement based on a translation of an equivalent article at the
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.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Meissner, Paul Traugott Austrian chemists 1778 births 1864 deaths People from Mediaș Academic staff of TU Wien Scientists from the Austrian Empire