Hermann von Helmholtz

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Hermann von Helmholtz

1821-1894

German theoretical physicist and experimental physiologist whose studies of animal heat led to the formulation of the fundamental principle of the conservation of energy. He was a remarkably versatile scientist, as demonstrated by his researches on physiological optics, acoustics, color blindness, electricity, and magnetism. His research on physiological optics led to his invention of the ophthalmoscope, an instrument used to examine the inside of the eye.

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