Hippolyte Marié-Davy
French chemist (1820–1893) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edme Hippolyte Marié-Davy (28 April 1820 – 26 July 1893) was a French chemist and inventor during the 19th century. He was born in Clamecy, Nièvre.
Hippolyte Marié-Davy | |
---|---|
Born | 28 April 1820 Clamecy, Nièvre, France |
Died | 26 July 1893 |
Nationality | French |
Alma mater | École polytechnique, École normale supérieure |
Known for | Deputy Director of the Paris Observatory |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Meteorology |
In 1854, he invented the first naval periscope, consisting in a vertical tube with two small mirrors fixed at each end at 45°.[1][2][3][4] He also invented a mercury bisulfate battery that bears his name, "the Marie-Davy".[5]
In 1854, Marié-Davy invented an electromagnetic motor.[6][7] Based on it, he proposed a submarine with an electrically driven propeller.[8] McClintock and Watson once planned to use the device on the Hunley.[9] The engine was said to have the power of "a one-horse steam engine".[10]
In the 1860s, he was Deputy Director of the Paris Observatory, in charge of meteorology.[11] He devoted himself to the study of local thunderstorms, following the destructive storm of 14 November 1854, in the Crimean War.