Engraved portrait of Orsted (1777-1851) who in 1820 discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism by setting up a very simple experiment; he demonstrated that a wire carrying a current could deviate a magnetised compass needle by ninety degrees. Whilst unable to suggest a satisfactory explanation for this phenomena, his discovery did bring about the study of electromagnetism by others. In 1825, he became the first person to produce aluminium by isolating it in a powdered form. Illustration from ‘Die Elektricität im Dienste der Menschheit’ (Electricity in the service of mankind) by Alfred Ritter von Urbanitzky (b 1852), published in Vienna in 1885.

Picture Reference: 10425446
Subject: PERSONALITIES > > Orsted, Hans Christian
Credit: Science Museum Library

Keywords: 1780-1818, Aluminium, Christian, Danish, Death, Denmark, Electricity, Electromagnetism, Hans, Headstone, Industrial Revolution, Magnetism, Male, Man, Man-made, Man Made, Men, Men's, Metal, Non-ferrous metals, Occupation, Orsted, Hans Christian, People, Physicist, Physics, Portrait, Profession, Science, Scientist, Urbanitzky, Alfred, Ritter Von, Wrinkled, Ørsted, Ørsted, Hans Christian

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