1. Pieter VanPieter Van
MusschenbroekMusschenbroek
Pieter was born onPieter was born on
March 14, 1692 inMarch 14, 1692 in
Leiden, NetherlandsLeiden, Netherlands
and died Septemberand died September
19, 1761.19, 1761.
His GreatestHis Greatest
accomplishment wasaccomplishment was
the "Leyden Jar" thethe "Leyden Jar" the
first electricalfirst electrical
capacitor. Leyden jarscapacitor. Leyden jars
store static electricity.store static electricity.
2. His nationality was a DutchHis nationality was a Dutch
He studied at the University of LeydenHe studied at the University of Leyden
(Leiden) and received his degree in(Leiden) and received his degree in
medicine in 1715 and later his doctormedicine in 1715 and later his doctor
of philosophy degree in naturalof philosophy degree in natural
philosophy(physics)philosophy(physics)
held positions in mathematics,held positions in mathematics,
philosophy, medicine, and astrology.philosophy, medicine, and astrology.
3. His father was Johannes vanHis father was Johannes van
Musschenbroek and his mother wasMusschenbroek and his mother was
Margaretha van Straaten. The VanMargaretha van Straaten. The Van
Musschenbroeks, originally fromMusschenbroeks, originally from
Flanders, lived in the city of LeidenFlanders, lived in the city of Leiden
since circa 1600since circa 1600.. His father was anHis father was an
instrument maker, who made scientificinstrument maker, who made scientific
instruments such as air pumps,instruments such as air pumps,
microscopes, and telescopes.microscopes, and telescopes.
4. Van Musschenbroek attended Latin school untilVan Musschenbroek attended Latin school until
1708, where he studied Greek, Latin, French,1708, where he studied Greek, Latin, French,
English, High German, Italian, and Spanish. HeEnglish, High German, Italian, and Spanish. He
studied medicine at Leiden University and receivedstudied medicine at Leiden University and received
his doctorate in 1715. He also attended lectures byhis doctorate in 1715. He also attended lectures by
John Theophilus Desaguliers and Isaac Newton inJohn Theophilus Desaguliers and Isaac Newton in
London. And in 1719, he finished his study inLondon. And in 1719, he finished his study in
philosophy.philosophy.
Also, Petrus van Musschenbroek made contributionsAlso, Petrus van Musschenbroek made contributions
in magnetism and cohesion of bodies and invented ain magnetism and cohesion of bodies and invented a
pyrometer.pyrometer.
