Hermann Sprengel facts for kids

Hermann Sprengel (born August 29, 1834 – died January 14, 1906) was a clever chemist from Germany who later became a British citizen. He made important discoveries about explosives and invented a special pump that helped create the first light bulbs.

About Hermann Sprengel's Life

Hermann Sprengel was born in a place called Schillerslage, near Hanover, Germany, on August 29, 1834. His father's name was George Sprengel.

He went to school in Göttingen and then studied at the university in Heidelberg, where he finished his degree in 1858. The very next year, he moved to England. He liked it so much that he became a British citizen.

His Work and Inventions

When he first arrived in England, Sprengel worked as an assistant in a chemistry lab in Oxford. Later, he moved to London. There, he worked at two hospitals, Guy's and St Bartholomew's.

From 1865 to 1870, he worked at a chemical factory owned by Thomas Farmer. During this time, he created a new type of explosive called Sprengel explosives. These were special because they were safer to make, store, and transport.

Sprengel also invented a very strong and reliable device called the Sprengel Pump. This pump was amazing because it could remove almost all the air from a sealed space. It could reduce the air to just one-millionth of its original amount! This invention was very important because it helped make the first filament light bulbs possible. Light bulbs need a vacuum (a space with almost no air) to work properly.

Recognized for His Discoveries

Because of his important work in chemistry and physics, Hermann Sprengel was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1878. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.

He died in London on January 14, 1906, at the age of 71. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery.