# Gabriel Lippmann

> Luxembourgish physicist nationalized French (1845-1921)

**Wikidata**: [Q133232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133232)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Lippmann)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gabriel-lippmann

## Summary

Gabriel Lippmann was born on August 16, 1845, in Bonnevoie[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], and died on July 13, 1921, in the Atlantic Ocean[1][3][4][5][7][8][9]. He held citizenship in both France and Luxembourg[10]. His spouse was Laurence Lippmann[11]. Following his death, he was buried at Cimetière Notre-Dame[4].He was educated at the École Normale Supérieure, Lycée Henri-IV, and the University of Paris[12]. Lippmann worked as a physicist, inventor, photographer, and professor[13]. His employers included the Laboratoire de recherches physiques de la faculté des sciences de Paris and the University of Paris, and his professional fields were physics and photography[14].Throughout his career, he held several presidential positions, serving as president from 1908 to present, president in 1904, and president of the French Academy of Sciences in 1912[15]. His awards included the Nobel Prize in Physics, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Progress Medal, Foreign Member of the Royal Society, and the Jean Reynaud Prize[16][17][18].

## Summary
Gabriel Lippmann was a Luxembourgish physicist who became a French national, known for his groundbreaking work in color photography and physics. He is best remembered for inventing the Lippmann plate, a method for capturing full-color images without the need for chemical dyes, which revolutionized the field of color photography.

## Biography
- Born: August 16, 1845, in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Nationality: Luxembourgish (later naturalized French)
- Education: Studied at the Lycée Henri-IV in Paris and the École Normale Supérieure
- Known for: Pioneering color photography with the Lippmann plate
- Employer(s): Laboratoire de recherches physiques de la faculté des sciences de Paris, University of Paris
- Field(s): Physics, photography

## Contributions
- **Lippmann Plate (1891)**: Invented a method for capturing full-color images using a photographic plate coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, eliminating the need for chemical dyes. This innovation laid the foundation for modern color photography.
- **Nobel Prize in Physics (1908)**: Awarded for his work on the diffusion of light in colloidal solutions and his invention of the Lippmann plate.
- **Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour**: Recognized for his contributions to science and photography.
- **Progress Medal**: Awarded by the Royal Photographic Society for his advancements in color photography.

## FAQs
**What was Gabriel Lippmann's most significant invention?**
Gabriel Lippmann is best known for inventing the Lippmann plate, a method for capturing full-color images without the need for chemical dyes, which revolutionized color photography.

**Where did Gabriel Lippmann study?**
He studied at the Lycée Henri-IV in Paris and later at the École Normale Supérieure, where he pursued advanced studies in physics.

**What awards did Gabriel Lippmann receive?**
He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1908, the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, and the Progress Medal by the Royal Photographic Society.

**What was Gabriel Lippmann's primary field of work?**
His primary fields of work were physics and photography, particularly in the development of color photography techniques.

## Why They Matter
Gabriel Lippmann's invention of the Lippmann plate was a pivotal moment in the history of photography, enabling the capture of true color images without the limitations of chemical dyes. His work laid the groundwork for modern color photography and demonstrated the potential of physics to solve practical problems in imaging technology. His contributions to science and photography have had a lasting impact, influencing both the technical and artistic aspects of photography for decades.

## Notable For
- Inventor of the Lippmann plate, a groundbreaking method for color photography.
- Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics (1908) for his work on light diffusion and color photography.
- Awarded the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and the Progress Medal for his scientific and technical achievements.
- Pioneered the use of physics in solving problems related to photography and imaging technology.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
- Born on August 16, 1845, in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
- Studied at the Lycée Henri-IV in Paris, where he developed an early interest in physics and mathematics.
- Enrolled at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he pursued advanced studies in physics.

### Career and Research
- Conducted research at the Laboratoire de recherches physiques de la faculté des sciences de Paris, where he focused on the diffusion of light in colloidal solutions.
- Developed the Lippmann plate in 1891, a method for capturing full-color images using a photographic plate coated with a light-sensitive emulsion.
- His work on the Lippmann plate eliminated the need for chemical dyes, revolutionizing the field of color photography.

### Awards and Recognition
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1908 for his work on the diffusion of light in colloidal solutions and his invention of the Lippmann plate.
- Received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian honor in France, for his contributions to science and photography.
- Awarded the Progress Medal by the Royal Photographic Society for his advancements in color photography.

### Legacy and Influence
- Gabriel Lippmann's invention of the Lippmann plate laid the foundation for modern color photography, enabling the capture of true color images without the limitations of chemical dyes.
- His work demonstrated the potential of physics to solve practical problems in imaging technology, influencing both the technical and artistic aspects of photography.
- His contributions to science and photography have had a lasting impact, shaping the development of imaging technology and inspiring future innovations in the field.

## References

1. www.accademiadellescienze.it
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. [Source](https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.147948/2015.147948.Nobel-Lectures-Physics-1901-1921_djvu.txt)
5. RKDartists
6. [French Academy of Sciences](https://www.academie-sciences.fr/archivage_site/academie/membre/)
7. Mathematics Genealogy Project
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. fotoCH
10. Find a Grave
11. [The Nobel Prize in Physics 1908. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1908/summary/)
12. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
13. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
14. [Mathematics Genealogy Project](http://www.genealogy.ams.org/id.php?id=177944)
15. [Mathematics Genealogy Project](http://www.genealogy.ams.org/id.php?id=129287)
16. Q116897661
17. International Standard Name Identifier
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. Léonore database
20. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
21. Luminous-Lint
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Roglo
24. La France savante
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. nobelprize.org
27. LIBRIS. 2018
28. [Source](https://colluniv.sorbonne-universite.fr/collection_plaques_lippmann/)
29. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/63770964)