Otto von Guericke

Physicist and politician in Germany

Otto von Guericke - Physicist and politician in Germany
Born

November 20th, 1602
422 years ago

Died

May 21st, 1686
339 years ago — 83 years old

Category

Scientists & Innovators

Country

Germany

Links & References

Born in 1602, a pioneering physicist and politician contributed significantly to the development of vacuum technology. Designed an air pump that demonstrated the existence of vacuum. Served as the mayor of Magdeburg, focusing on public projects and governance. Engaged in scientific experiments that laid the foundation for future studies in atmospheric pressure and electrostatics.

Invented the first air pump and vacuum technology

Conducted the Magdeburg hemispheres experiment

Other People Born on November 20th

Gunnar Åkerlund

Swedish sprint canoer Olympic medalist
Born
November 20th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 83 years old

Competed in sprint canoeing during the 1940s and 1950s. Achieved significant success at the European Canoe Championships, earning multiple medals. Participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics, where sprint canoeing was first introduced, securing a bronze medal in the kayak single event. Contributed to the development of the sport in Sweden and inspired future athletes in canoeing.

Continue Reading

Aleksandra Król

Polish snowboarder with Olympic participation
Born
November 20th, 1990 34 years ago

Competed in snowboarding events representing Poland. Participated in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, achieving a respectable finish in the women's parallel giant slalom. Also competed in various FIS World Cup events throughout her career, showcasing skills in both slalom and snowboard cross disciplines. Earned multiple national championships, solidifying status in Polish snowboarding.

Continue Reading

Muhamed Demiri

Footballer and national team player
Born
November 20th, 1985 39 years ago

Played as a midfielder for several clubs throughout a professional career, including notable stints at Vardar and Borec. Represented the national team of North Macedonia, participating in various international matches and qualifying campaigns. His playing style and contributions on the field marked significant moments in both club and international competitions.

Continue Reading

Oskar Potiorek

Austro-Hungarian Army officer
Born
November 20th, 1853 171 years ago
Died
1933 92 years ago — 80 years old

Served as a major general in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I. Commanded the Austro-Hungarian forces during the Serbian Campaign, including battles at the Drina and the Siege of Przemysl. Oversaw military operations in Galicia and was involved in the initial stages of the war on the Eastern Front. Later, held the position of military governor of the occupied territories.

Continue Reading

Živko Budimir

Bosnian politician and public figure
Born
November 20th, 1962 62 years ago

Served as president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2011 to 2015. Held various political roles within the country, including positions in the House of Peoples. Engaged in political activities primarily among national and local parties, influencing policies during crucial periods in Bosnian politics. Advocated for constitutional changes and administrative reforms within the federation, participating in discussions and negotiations to foster stability and governance.

Continue Reading

Eduardo Vargas

Chilean footballer with significant club success
Born
November 20th, 1989 35 years ago

A professional footballer, excelled as a forward, representing Chile in international competitions. Played for top clubs, including Universidad de Chile, where contributions led to domestic successes. Further played for clubs like Napoli, where achievements included winning the Coppa Italia. Contributed to the Chilean national team, participating in Copa America and FIFA World Cup events.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on May 21st

Paul Delph

American singer-songwriter and producer
Born
1957 68 years ago
Died
May 21st, 1996 29 years ago — 39 years old

A singer-songwriter and producer, contributed to the music scene with a unique blend of rock, pop, and new wave. Released the album 'The Eternal Return' in 1986, which showcased distinct songwriting and production skills. Collaborated with various artists and gained recognition in the 1980s music landscape. Became involved in the music production process, helping other artists shape their sound and style. Continued to influence and inspire through various projects until untimely passing in 1996.

Continue Reading

Jassem Al-Kharafi

Kuwaiti politician and Speaker of the Assembly
Born
1940 85 years ago
Died
May 21st, 2015 10 years ago — 75 years old

Served as the 8th Speaker of the National Assembly in Kuwait. Held the position from 2006 to 2013 and was instrumental in various legislative processes during his tenure. Al-Kharafi was also a prominent businessman and engaged in numerous commercial activities within the region, contributing to the economic landscape of Kuwait. His leadership in the assembly was marked by a focus on governance and political reform.

Continue Reading

Christopher Smart

English actor, playwright, and poet
Born
April 11th, 1722 303 years ago
Died
May 21st, 1771 254 years ago — 49 years old

Born in 1722, this individual made significant contributions to English literature through poetry and plays. His best-known work includes the poem 'Jubilate Agno', which was written during a time of mental turmoil. The poem is celebrated for its innovative structure and religious themes. Besides poetry, involvement in the theatrical world also marked his career as a playwright, where several of his works were performed during his lifetime. His struggles with mental health impacted his life and career, yet left a lasting legacy in English literary circles.

Continue Reading

James Franck

German physicist and Nobel laureate
Born
August 26th, 1882 143 years ago
Died
May 21st, 1964 61 years ago — 81 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of physics, focusing on atomic and molecular interactions. Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1925 for the Franck-Hertz experiment, which demonstrated the quantized nature of atomic energy levels. Held a position as a professor at the University of Göttingen and later emigrated to the United States, where continued academic work at various institutions. Engaged in research that informed advancements in quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

Continue Reading

Chevalier d'Eon

French diplomat and spy
Born
1728 297 years ago
Died
May 21st, 1810 215 years ago — 82 years old

A prominent figure in the 18th century, engaged in espionage and diplomacy, played a significant role in the politics of both France and Britain. Originally presented as a male during military service, the individual later assumed a female identity, gaining attention in both political and social circles. Contributed to various diplomatic missions and was involved in the political intrigue of the time, which included participation in the Seven Years' War. The dual identity sparked extensive discussions on gender and identity. Achievements included a lengthy diplomatic career and participation in significant historic events.

Continue Reading

Annarita Sidoti

Italian race walker, multiple champion
Born
1969 56 years ago
Died
May 21st, 2015 10 years ago — 46 years old

An accomplished race walker, achieved significant milestones in international competitions. Secured a gold medal at the 1996 European Athletics Championships in the 10 km walk. Represented Italy at multiple Olympic Games, showcasing talent in race walking events. Achieved personal bests that remained competitive in the sport. Contributed to the development of race walking in Italy through participation in various national and international events.

Continue Reading