Giovanni Poleni

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Giovanni Poleni was a Marquess, physicist, mathematician, and antiquarian born around 1683, who lived until 1761. He studied the classics, philosophy, theology, mathematics, and physics in Venice, earning himself an appointment as professor of astronomy at Padua when he was just twenty-five years old. In 1715, he took on the chair of physics, while in 1719, he succeeded Nicholas II Bernoulli as professor of mathematics. Poleni's expertise in hydraulic engineering led to his assignment by the Venetian Senate to oversee the waters of lower Lombardy and manage constructions that prevented floods. He was often called upon to settle disputes between sovereigns whose states bordered waterways. Poleni is credited with building the first calculator using a pinwheel design, crafted from wood in 1709; however, he destroyed it after learning Antonius Braun received 10,000 Guldens for dedicating a pinwheel machine of his own design to Emperor Charles VI of Vienna. The city of Padua honored Poleni by electing him as magistrate, and following his death, they erected a statue in his memory, sculpted by Canova.