Giovanni Alfonso Borelli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 28 January 1608 Naples, Italy |
| Died | 31 December 1679 (aged 71) Rome, Italy |
| Burial place | San Pantaleo, Rome |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Alma mater | Sapienza University of Rome |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physiologist, physicist, mathematician |
| Academic advisors | Benedetto Castelli |
| Notable students | Marcello Malpighi |
Giovanni Alfonso Borelli (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni alˈfɔnso boˈrɛlli]; 28 January 1608 – 31 December 1679) was a Renaissance Italian physiologist, physicist, and mathematician who is often described as the father of biomechanics.[1] He contributed to the modern principle of scientific investigation by continuing Galileo's practice of testing hypotheses against observation. Trained in mathematics, Borelli also made extensive studies of Jupiter's moons, the mechanics of animal locomotion and, in microscopy, of the constituents of blood. He also used microscopy to investigate the stomatal movement of plants, and undertook studies in medicine and geology. During his career, he enjoyed the patronage of Queen Christina of Sweden. He was the first scientist to explain that animal and human bodily movements are caused by muscular contractions.[2]
- ^ Pope, Malcolm H. (15 October 2005). "Giovanni Alfonso Borelli—The Father of Biomechanics". Spine. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Borelli, Giovanni Alfonso". Gale Ebooks. Gale. 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2023.