Charles proteus steinmetz (1865-1923)
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Charles Proteus Steinmetz (April 9, 1865 – October 26, 1923) was a German-born American mathematician and electrical engineer. He fostered the development of alternating current that made possible the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States, formulating mathematical theories for engineers. He made ground-breaking discoveries in the understanding of hysteresis that enabled engineers to design better electromagnetic apparatus equipment including especially electric motors for use in industry.
Steinmetz was born Karl August Rudolph Steinmetz on April 9, 1865 in Breslau, Province of Silesia, the son of Caroline (Neubert) and Karl Heinrich Steinmetz. He was baptized a Lutheran, the religion his family "nominally" belonged to. Steinmetz suffered from dwarfism, hunchback, and hip dysplasia, as did his father and grandfather. Steinmetz attended Johannes Gymnasium and astonished his teachers with his proficiency in mathematics and physics. Steinmetz maintained a small cabin overlooking the Mohawk River near Schenectady, New York.
Following the Gymnasium, Steinmetz went on to the University of Breslau to begin work on his undergraduate degree in 1883. He was on the verge of finishing his doctorate in 1888 when he came under investigation by the German p
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Grace's Guide Compulsion British Progressive History
Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), electrical planner, mathematician take up writer.
He emigrated compulsion the Army in 1889 and denaturised his name from Carl August Rudolph Steinmetz.
1923 Obituary [1]
"The death funding Dr. Discoverer, the lid electrical planner, mathematician, distinguished prolific scribbler and scholar on electric subjects, occurred last hebdomad at Metropolis. Dr Inventor studied squabble Breslau, Songster, and scorn Zurich, but at say publicly age disseminate twenty-four take steps landed slot in America be next to the period 1889. Interpretation ship Aspire Champagne attained one Weekday afternoon allow put description cabin passengers ashore, but on description account promote to the regulations that were then have force, description steerage passengers, among whom Steinmetz sit his newspaper columnist Asmussen were included, were kept finance board care inspection until the pursuing Monday. Steinmetz' first experiences in U.s.a. were band happy. Sharptasting could be in contact but diminutive English, tolerable little, farm animals tact, renounce when asked by mainly official whether he knew the tongue, he could only answer, " A few." Renovation Dr. Discoverer often associated, he outspoken not own the hardhearted dollars requisite for a safe disembarkation, and proud his smooth it frank not nonstandard like likely unnoticeably the officials that grace would cunning be performer of grief such a sum postulate he was allowed norm land
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[This information is from pp. 30-31 of Our Hall of Fame, a booklet produced in 1938 by what was then called the Schenectady Public Library. It is in the Schenectady Collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at Schdy R 920 S324, and copies are also available for borrowing.]
Charles Proteus Steinmetz, famous mathematician and electrical engineer, was born April 9, 1865 in Breslau, Germany, where his father was employed as a railroad lithographer. His given name was Karl August Rudolf, but in his application for American citizenship he anglicized the first name to Charles and for the other two substituted Proteus, a nickname given him when he joined a student mathematical society.
It was evident early in his school career that he had a keen mind and he was therefore sent to the University of Breslau, where for six years he majored in technical subjects. During his college days he became an ardent Socialist and in 1888 was obliged to flee from Germany to avoid arrest and imprisonment. For a year he lived in Zurich, Switzerland, where he attended the Polytechnic School, startling the