Friedrich Kick Austrian scientist, technician and liberal politician, professor Date of Birth: 27.02.1840 Country: Austria

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic Career
3. Law of Proportional Resistances
4. Applications of the Law
5. Calculating the size of charges for blasting operations
6. Other Contributions
7. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Ludwig Kick was born on March 3, 1825, in Vienna, Austria. He studied engineering at the University of Vienna and graduated with honors in 1847.

Academic Career

After graduating, Kick worked as an assistant professor at the Polytechnic School in Vienna. In 1866, he became a full professor of mechanical technology at the Higher Technical School in Prague.

Law of Proportional Resistances

In 1883, Kick published his groundbreaking work, "Das Gesetz der proportionalen Widerstände" ("Law of Proportional Resistances"). This law states that the work required to deform two geometrically similar and materially homogenous bodies is proportional to their volumes or weights. This law is now known as the "Kirpichev-Kika Law," with priority given to Vasily Kirpichev for its independent discovery.

Applications of the Law

Kick's law has numerous applications in engineering and industry, including:

Calculating the size of charges for blasting operations

Designing machinery for metalworking, such as lathes, presses, and rolling mills

Other Contributions

In addition to his work on the Law of Proportional Resistances, Kick also made significant contributions to the fields of materials testing and machine design. He was a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and was awarded several honorary doctorates.

Death and Legacy

Ludwig Kick died on April 15, 1903, in Vienna. His work on the Law of Proportional Resistances remains a fundamental principle in the field of engineering mechanics.