It’s starting to get cold and icy here in the UK as winter sets in. Which means it’s the
It’s starting to get cold and icy here in the UK as winter sets in. Which means it’s the perfect time to talk about one of the Ri’s more adventurous professors and every Victorian beard enthusiasts’ favourite, John TyndallTyndall held a number of positions at the Ri. His curiosity led him to make advances in understanding greenhouse gases, and demonstrate why the sky is blue (this is where we get the term blue skies research). Check out this clip from Professor Brian Cox to learn more about his experiments https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01jdgvxYou can see Tyndall’s original experimental apparatus in our museum (http://www.rigb.org/our-history/iconic-objects/iconic-objects-list/tyndall-blue-sky …)Tyndall was a renowned glaciologist and highly experienced mountaineer. His many non-scientific achievements include the first assent of the Weisshorn, the first assent of Monte Rosa and the first traverse of the Matterhorn. He was also a keen photographer and took amazing pictures like this one of the Mer de Glace glacier in the AlpsAs this image shows Tyndall mountaineered in style. Tweed jackets and hats were essential pieces of kit and were warmer than you might think. In fact an analysis of later mountain equipment from the 1920s showed just how good woollen clothes could be http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5076634.stm …During his time at the Ri Tyndall gave 12 Christmas Lecture series, which puts him second on the all time list - 7 behind the real MVP himself, Michael Faraday.Later in life Tyndall took chloral hydrate to treat insomnia, and in an unfortunate turn of events he died of an accidental overdose administered by his wife. His final words were “My darling, you have killed your John”. Up until that point the marriage had been a happy one.Oh, so you read one thread and thing you know everything about Tyndall? Come back to me once you’ve read this: http://www.rigb.org/our-history/history-of-research/john-tyndall-timeline … -- source link