Clemens Herschel

Clemens Herschel
Born(1842-03-23)March 23, 1842
Vienna, Austria
DiedMarch 1, 1930(1930-03-01) (aged 87)
Glen Ridge, New Jersey
EducationBS, Harvard University, 1860.
Occupation(s)Consulting hydraulic engineer and superintendent of the East Jersey Water Company
Known forMeasurement of water flow and development of the Venturi meter
AwardsWater Industry Hall of Fame, American Water Works Association, 1971; Elliott Cresson Medal from the Franklin Institute, 1889.
Signature

Clemens Herschel (March 23, 1842 – March 1, 1930) was an American hydraulic engineer. His career extended from about 1860 to 1930, and he is best known for inventing the Venturi meter, which was the first large-scale, accurate device for measuring water flow.[1][2] He developed this device while serving as director of the Holyoke Testing Flume, a turbine testing facility which he would redesign, which became the first modern hydraulics laboratory in the United States and the world.[3][4]

  1. ^ Herschel, Clemens, "Apparatus for measuring the quantity of water flowing through a pipe," U.S. Letters Patent no. 381,373 (filed: 1887 December 12 ; issued: 1888 April 17).
  2. ^ "Invention of the Venturi Meter". Nature. 136 (3433): 254. August 17, 1935. Bibcode:1935Natur.136Q.254.. doi:10.1038/136254a0. [The article] reproduces a letter from Herschel to the late Dr. Unwin describing his invention of the Venturi Meter. The letter is dated June 5, 1888, and addressed from the hydraulic engineer's office of the Holyoke Water Power Co., Mass. In his letter, Herschel says he tested a one-inch Venturi Meter, under 210 ft. head: 'I am now satisfied that here is a new and pregnant principle to be applied to the art of gauging fluids, inclusive of fluids such as compressed air, illuminating or fuel gases, steam, etc. Further, that the shape of the meter should be trumpet-shaped in both directions; such a meter will measure volumes flowing in either direction, which in certain localities becomes a useful attribute...'
  3. ^ To Establish a National Hydraulic Laboratory. Washington, D.C.: United States Senate Committee on Commerce, US Government Printing Office (GPO). 1922. pp. 58–60.
  4. ^ New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs. New York [State] Court of Appeals. 1919. pp. 618–619.