Georg Simon Ohm

Georg Simon Ohm (1789 - 1854) Photo, German Museum, Munich

Georg Simon Ohm was born near Langsdorf as the son of a university metal worker, who was active in the fields of mathematics and physics. In 1805, he began university, quitting his studies however in 1806 in order to move to Switzerland to become a teacher. He only returned to his studies in 1811, obtaining his doctorate without undertaking the written work. He relocated to Cologne in 1817 to become a secondary school teacher, remaining there until 1827. In 1826, he discovered a law that was subsequently named after him (Ohm's Law). After a few failed attempts, he gained employment at the Nuremberg Polytechnic Institute in 1833. He was appointed as director of the Institute in 1839. He only became active as a professor at the University of Munich in 1850. Ohm passed away in Munich in 1854.

In 1881, The International Congress of Electricians in Paris specified the unit of resistance at 1 Ohm.