Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Machine of Bohnenberger

  • Chapter
The History of Theoretical, Material and Computational Mechanics - Mathematics Meets Mechanics and Engineering

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics ((LAMM,volume 1))

Abstract

Johann Gottlieb Friedrich Bohnenberger (1765-1831) was a Professor of physics, mathematics, and astronomy at the University of Tübingen, Germany, as well as the scientific head surveying officer of the Kingdom of Württemberg. He made both major contributions to introducing modern geodesy in Germany and constructed various physical instruments. The “Machine of Bohnenberger” is considered the first gyro with cardanic suspension and forms the precursor of Foucault’s Gyroscope of 1852. This article discusses important documents, the historical context, the initial dissemination, and the further development of J.G.F. Bohnenberger’s invention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Tobin, W.: The Life and Science of Léon Foucault. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Broelmann, J.: Intuition und Wissenschaft in der Kreiseltechnik. Deutsches Museum, Munich (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Beschreibung einer Maschine zur Erläuterung der Geseze der Umdrehung der Erde um ihre Axe, und der Veränderung der Lage der lezteren. Tübinger Blätter für Naturwissenschaften und Arzneikunde 3, 72–83 (1817)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Foucault, J.B.L.: Sur les phénomènes d’orientation des corps tournant entrainés par un axe à la surface de la terre. Comptes Rendus Hebd Séances Acad. Sci. 35, 424–427 (1852)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wagner, J.F., Sorg, H.W., Renz, A.: The Machine of Bohnenberger. Europ. J. Navig. 3(4), 69–77 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Reist, H.: Johann Gottlieb Friedrich von Bohnenberger, Gedanken zum 200. Geburtstag. Allg. Vermessungsnachr 72, 218–241 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Baumann, E.: Bohnenberger und Altburg. DVW Mitt, Landesverband Baden-Württemberg 56(1), 77–102 (2009)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  8. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Astronomische und Trigonometrische Beyträge zur Verfertigung einer genauen Charte von dem Herzogthum Wirtemberg. State Library of Württemberg. Sig. Cod. Math. 4, 31 (1793)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Report on the negotiations with Duke Friedrich. University Library of Tübingen, Sig. Md 901a (1793-1803)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Stumpf, M., Marold, T.: Zur Geschichte der Sternwarten Gothas. Gothaer Museums-heft, 33–48 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  11. von Zach to Lichtenberg, March 12, 1794. In: Joost, U., Schöne, A., Hoffmann, J. (eds.) Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Briefwechsel, Beck, Munich, vol. 4, pp. 229–235 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Heerde, J.H.: Das Publikum der Physik: Lichtenbergs Hörer, p. 114. Göttingen, Wallstein (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lichtenberg to Heyne, June 14, 1794. In: Promies, W. (ed.) Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Schriften und Briefe, Zweitausendeins, Frankfurt/Main, vol. 4, pp. 881–883 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lichtenberg to Reimarus, August 18, 1794. In: Promies, W. (ed.) Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Schriften und Briefe, Zweitausendeins, Frankfurt/Main, vol 4, pp. 895–899 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bohnenberger to Schumacher, December 26, 1824. State Library of Berlin, Sig. Nachlass Schumacher

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kater, H., Schumacher, H.C.: Auszug aus einem Schreiben des Capitains Henry Kater an den Herausgeber, London (Junius 7, 1825); Astron Nachr. 4(85), 225–226

    Google Scholar 

  17. Bohnenberger to Gauß, March 18 ,1818. State Library of Lower Saxony. Sig. Cod. MS. Gauß

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Anleitung zur geographischen Ortsbestimmung, vorzüglich vermittelst des Spiegelsextanten. Vandenhoek & Ruprecht, Göttingen (1795)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bohnenberger, J.T.F.: De computandis dimensionibus trigonometricis in superficie terrae sphaeroidica institutis. Eifert, Tübingen (1826)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Astronomie. Cotta, Tübingen (1811)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Anfangsgründe der Höheren Analysis. Cotta, Tübingen (1811)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kohler, K.: Die Landvermessung im Königreich Württemberg. Cotta, Stuttgart (1858)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Buzengeiger to Schumacher, April 21, 1831. State Library of Berlin, Sig. Nachlass Schumacher

    Google Scholar 

  24. Archives of the University of Tübingen, Sig. 9/6 19-25. The spelling of Du Mericeau is not clear

    Google Scholar 

  25. Letters of Buzengeiger to Horner, Central Library of Zürich, Sig. MS M 5.12

    Google Scholar 

  26. Buzengeiger to King Friedrich I, 9 September 1815. Archives of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Sig. E 202 BÜ 737

    Google Scholar 

  27. Baumann, E. (ed.): DVW Landesverein Baden-Württemberg e.V. Mitteil 57(2) (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Letters Bohnenberger to Cotta. Archives of Literature, Marbach, Sig. Cotta Br

    Google Scholar 

  29. Benzenberg, J.F.: Unpublished works, diary. Heinrich Heine Institute, Düsseldorf (1810)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Vierteljahresschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich 22, 126 (1877)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Benzenberg, J.F.: Briefe geschrieben auf einer Reise in die Schweiz im Jahr 1810, vol. 2, pp. 357–359, 387. Schreiner, Düsseldorf (1812)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Segner, J.A.: Astronomische Vorlesungen, vol. 2, pp. 650–653. Curts, Halle (1776)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Laplace, P.S.: Œuvres complètes de Laplace, publiées sous les auspices de l’Académie des Sciences. Gauthier-Villars, Paris (1893)

    Google Scholar 

  34. State Library of Württemberg, Sig. Cod. Math. 4° 64a. It should be mentioned in addition that the covering letter (Archives of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Sig. E 5 BÜ) of the manuscript is dated December 21, 1811 and that probably the book manuscript had originally been handed in together with the covering letter

    Google Scholar 

  35. Poisson, S.D.: Mémoire sur un cas particulier du mouvement de rotation des corps pesans. J. École Polytechn. 9(16), 247–262 (1813)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Bohnenberger, J.G.F.: Beschreibung einer Maschine, welche die Gesetze der Umdrehung der Erde um ihre Axe, und der Veränderung der Lage der Erdaxe zu erläutern dient. Annalen der Physik 30, 60–71 (1818)

    Google Scholar 

  37. May, P.: Georg Simon Ohm – Leben und Wirkung. Mayer, Erlangen (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Simpson, A.D.C.: A Sub-Contractor of W & S Jones Identified. Bulletin Sci. Instrument Soc. 39, 23–27 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Pixii, père et fils, Catalogue des principaux instruments de physique, chimie, optique, mathématiques et autres a l’usage des sciences. Pixii, Paris (1845)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Lerebours, S.: Catalogue et prix des instruments d’optique, de physique, de chimie, de mathématiques, d’astronomie et de marine. Lerebours et Secretan Paris (1853)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Nürnberger, J.F.: Vorrücken der Nachtgleichen. In: Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände, 7th edn., vol. 11, pp. 786–787. Brockhaus, Leipzig (1827)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Buzengeiger to Schumacher, July 30, 1832. State Library of Berlin, Sig. Nachlass Schumacher

    Google Scholar 

  43. Buzengeiger to Schumacher, July 24, 1833. State Library of Berlin, Sig. Nachlass Schumacher

    Google Scholar 

  44. Archives of the University of Stuttgart, Sig. ZA 640 Inventar D, Inventar Physikalisches Institut 1937 (-1974)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Physikalisches Institut der Universität Tübingen, Inventar der Sternwarte Tübingen

    Google Scholar 

  46. Person, C.C.: Disposition de l’appareil de Bohnenberger pour les différentes latitudes. Comptes Rendus Hebd Séances Acad. Sci. 35, 549–552 (1852)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Person, C.C.: L’appareil de Bohnenberger pour la précision des équinoxes peut servez à constater la rotation de la Terre. Comptes Rendus Hebd Séances Acad. Sci. 35, 417–420 (1852)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Pike, B.: Pike’s Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of Optical, 2nd edn. Mathematical and Philosophical Instruments, Pike, New York, p. 142 (1856)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Johnson, W.R.: Description of an Apparatus Called the Rotascope, for Exhibiting Several Phenomena and Illustrating Certain Laws of Rotary Motion. Am. J. Sci. 21, 265–280 (1832)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Yust, W. (ed.): A New Survey of Universal Knowledge, p. 47. Encycl Britannica, Chicago (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Hunt, E.: On Certain Phenomena Connected With Rotatory Motion, the Gyroscope, Precession of the Equinoxes, and Saturn’s Rings. Proc. Royal Philos. Soc. Glasgow. 4(1), 130–157 (1859)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Phenomena Connected with Rotatory Motion. Mechanics’ Magaz. 67, 587–588 (1857)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Sang, E.: Remarks on the Gyroscope, in Relation to his “Suggestion of a New Experiment Which Would Demonstrate the Rotation of the Earth”. Transact. Royal Scottish Soc. Arts 4, 413–420 (1856)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Chevalier, C.: Catalogue explicativ et illustré des instruments de physique expérimentale, d’optique expérimentale, chimie, astronomie, minéralogie, chirugie. Chevalier, Paris (1861)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Gantzer, R.: Über die Rotationsmaschine von Bohnenberger. Ratz, Jena (1867)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Heinen, F.: Über einige Rotations-Apparate, insbesondere den Fessel’schen. Vieweg, Braunschweig (1857)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Gruey, M.L.J.: Le Stréphoscope Universel. Chaix, Paris (1883)

    Google Scholar 

  58. Magnus, K.: Kreisel: Theorie und Anwendungen. Springer, Heidelberg (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  59. Sorg, H.W.: From Serson to Draper. Navigation 23(4), 313–324 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  60. Wrigley, W.: History of Inertial Navigation. Navigation 24(1), 1–6 (1971)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. AGARD, The Anatomy of the Gyroscope, Part I-III, Agardograph No. 313. NATO, Neuilly sur Seine (1988/1990)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hughes, T.P.: Elmer Sperry: Inventor and Engineer. Johns Hopkins, Baltimore (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  63. Lohmeier, D. (ed.): Einstein, Anschütz und der Kieler Kreiselkompass, 2nd edn. Raytheon Marine, Kiel (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  64. Lawrence, A.: Modern Inertial Technology: Navigation, Guidance, and Control, 2nd edn. Springer, New York (2001)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German SOFIA Institute, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 29, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jörg F. Wagner

  2. Section for History of Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart, Keplerstr. 17, 70174, Stuttgart, Germany

    Andor Trierenberg

Authors
  1. Jörg F. Wagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andor Trierenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Mechanics and Computational Mechanics (IBNM), Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Erwin Stein

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wagner, J.F., Trierenberg, A. (2014). The Machine of Bohnenberger. In: Stein, E. (eds) The History of Theoretical, Material and Computational Mechanics - Mathematics Meets Mechanics and Engineering. Lecture Notes in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39905-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39905-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-39904-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-39905-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation