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František Křižík | |
|---|---|
 František Křižík (most likely in 1902) | |
| Born | (1847-07-08)8 July 1847 |
| Died | 22 January 1941(1941-01-22) (aged 93) |
| Resting place | Vyšehrad Cemetery |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer,entrepreneur |
| Known for | Arc lamp |
František Křižík (Czech:[ˈfraɲcɪʃɛkˈkr̝̊ɪʒiːk]; 8 July 1847 – 22 January 1941) was aCzech inventor, electrical engineer and entrepreneur.
Křižík was born on 8 July 1847 in a poor family inPlánice. His father, a shoemaker, died early. When he was 12, the family moved toPrague, where he began studying, but for financial reasons he did not graduate from thereal school. However, due to his significant technical talent, he was still accepted to theCzech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT) in 1866. After completing his studies at the university, Křižík was first employed at the Kaufmann factory for the production of telegraphs and signals as a repairman for telegraph devices. He soon began to make his own discoveries.[1]
Křižík is considered the pioneer of practical electrical engineering and in electrification of Bohemia andAustria-Hungary. At the time he was often compared toThomas Edison. In 1878, Křižík invented a remotely operated signaling device to protect against collision betweentrains.[2]Křižík's cores are magnetic solenoids cores shaped so as to ensure an approximately uniform pull in different positions in the solenoid.
His first experiments inPlzeň resulted in the invention in 1880 of the automatic electricarc lamp, the so-called "Plzen Lamp" which was displayed at theInternational Exposition of Electricity in Paris in 1881. This lamp, with self-adjusting brushes, won the gold medal from among 50 similar devices.[2] Later he successfully defended his patent againstWerner von Siemens claim to have created it first. His lamps were successfully used in many cities for street lighting. The restored and fully functional patented arc lamp with automated electrode adjustment can be viewed at the Museum of Plzeň.
In 1884 Křižík set up his own company building city lighting, tramway lines, street cars, power stations, and various electric equipment. In 1895, Křižík built one of first electromobiles in Austria-Hungary.
He was active freemason since 1881 when he joined masonic lodgeHarmonie inPlzeň. He was later active as member of lodgeJan Amos Komenský and later lodgeSibi et posteris inPrague. In 1923, František Křižík was one of the founders nad patrons of the National Czechoslovak Grand Lodge.[3][4]
František Křižík built the firstelectrified railway in the Austro-Hungarian empire fromTábor toBechyně in 1903. The track gauge was1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge. The maximum speed was 50 km/h (31 mph).
Themain belt asteroid5719 Křižík was named in his honour.[5]
A Prague street and subsequently near subway station were named after František Křižík –Křižíkova.
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