Joseph Henry, Albany nerd for the ages

joseph henryNick Fahrenkopf has written an interesting post about Joseph Henry, one of Albany's all-time great nerds:

Henry has been immortalized in more than the UAlbany physics building, his early school, a monument near the original Albany Academy, and buildings in Princeton: the unit of induction is the henry and the medal for service to the Smithsonian is the Henry Medal. Even a mountain range bears his name. Back here in Albany, the church where he was baptized even has a stained glass window of Henry lecturing 12 disciples with the words "Master Scientist and Devout Christian". I find it fascinating that now, over a hundred years later this area is home to the next wave of science and technology that will propel our nation forward. Not the Weather Service, Lighthouses, or telegraphs. But nanoelectronics, solar panels, biomedical engineering. It just seems... fitting.

Among many accomplishments, Henry was instrumental in discoveries on electromagnetism, the beginning of the Smithsonian, and the creation of the National Weather Service.

Earlier on AOA:
+ An entire library of Albanians
+ Right back @ you, governor

image by Henry Ulke via NOAA and Wikipedia

Comments

Thanks for the reblog guys!

For those inclined, that stained glass window is located at 1st Pres. Church on State and Willet. Thanks for the story!

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