Plateau, Joseph Antoine Ferdinand (1801–1883) A Belgian physicist who did pioneering experimental work on soap bubbles and soap films, which stimulated the mathematical study of bubbles as minimal surfaces. In 1829 Plateau carried out an optical experiment that involved looking at the Sun for 25 seconds: this damaged his eyes, and he eventually became blind. Related category PHYSICISTS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |