Heinrich Hertz

Born in Germany, Heinrich Hertz came from a prosperous and cultured family. After serving in the military for a year (1876--77), Hertz spent a year at the University of Munich, where he decided to embark upon an academic career. In 1880 Hertz received a Ph.D. at the University of Berlin. He then taught at the University of Kiel and in 1885 was appointed professor of physics at the University of Bonn. His untimely death from blood poisoning, which occurred after several years of poor health, cut short a brilliant career. Hertz made significant contributions to the understanding of electrical phenomena and application of electrical equipment. In 1888 he produced electromagnetic waves using an electric circuit. These waves, originally called Hertzian waves (now known as radio waves) confirmed James Clerk Maxwell's prediction of the existence of electromagnetic waves, both as light waves and radio waves. Continuing his research and analysis of Maxwell's theory, Hertz published two papers in 1890. During this period, his experimental and theoretical research strengthened the field of electrodynamics. In 1887 Hertz inadvertently discovered the photoelectric effect whereby ultraviolet radiation releases electrons from the surface of a metal. Hertz died before Guglielmo Marconi made the use of radio waves a practical means of communication. In his honor the unit of frequency is now called the hertz.