Julius Robert von Mayer
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.031100
On this date in 1814, physicist Julius Robert von Mayer was born in Heilbronn, Württemburg (now Germany). Originally trained as a physician, while serving aboard a ship he became interested in the mechanics and transfer of heat. His interest in the topic led him to become one of the first people to formulate the first law of thermodynamics: that energy can be neither created nor destroyed. However, his work was initially overlooked because he was not versed in scientific writing and the idea of the conservation of energy was not quickly accepted by many other scientists. He did later receive recognition for his work including an honorary doctorate from the University of Tübingen.
Date in History: 25 November 1814
