Francesco Lana de Terzi

{{Short description|Italian physicist and mathematician (1631–1687)}}

{{Short description|Italian physicist and mathematician (1631–1687)}}

{{Infobox scientist

[[File:Lanadeterzi.jpg|thumb|Francesco Lana de Terzi]]

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'''Francesco Lana de Terzi''' (1631 in [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]] – 22 February 1687, in [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]]) was an Italian [[Jesuit]] [[priest]], [[mathematician]], [[naturalist]] and [[aeronautics]] [[Innovator|pioneer]]. Having been professor of [[physics]] and [[mathematics]] at [[Brescia]], he first sketched the concept for a [[vacuum airship]] and has been referred to as the [[List of people considered father or mother of a field|Father]] of Aeronautics for his pioneering efforts, turning the [[aeronautics]] field into a science by establishing "a theory of aerial navigation verified by mathematical accuracy". He also developed the idea that developed into [[Braille]].{{Cite web | title = Francesco Lana-Terzi, S.J. (1631-1687); The Father of Aeronautics | url = http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/scientists/lana.htm | accessdate = 1 May 2010 | archive-date = 24 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210424104423/http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/scientists/lana.htm | url-status = dead }} The asteroid ''6892 Lana'' was named after him.{{cite web |url= https://www.vaticanobservatory.org/sacred-space-astronomy/latest-batch-of-named-asteroids-includes-three-jesuit-astronomers-and-a-pope/ |title= Latest Batch of Named Asteroids Includes Three Jesuit Astronomers and a Pope |last= Macke |first= Robert |date= 11 February 2023 |website= Vatican Observatory |publisher= |access-date= November 20, 2025 |quote=}}

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| image = Lanadeterzi.jpg

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| caption = Engraved portrait of Francesco Lana de Terzi by an unknown artist

| birth_date = 1631

| birth_place = [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]]

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1687|02|22|1631}}

| death_place = [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]]

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| fields = Jesuit priest, mathematician and natural philosopher

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| known_for = creating the first scientifically grounded design for a lighter-than-air craft

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| signature = Francesco Lana de' Terzi - signature.png

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'''Francesco Lana de Terzi''' (1631 in [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]] – 22 February 1687, in [[Brescia]], [[Lombardy]]) was an Italian [[Jesuit]] [[priest]], [[mathematician]], [[naturalist]] and [[aeronautics]] [[Innovator|pioneer]]. Having been professor of [[physics]] and [[mathematics]] at [[Brescia]], he first sketched the concept for a [[vacuum airship]] and has been referred to as the [[List of people considered father or mother of a field|Father]] of Aeronautics for his pioneering efforts, turning the [[aeronautics]] field into a science by establishing "a theory of aerial navigation verified by mathematical accuracy". He also developed the idea that developed into [[Braille]].{{Cite web | title = Francesco Lana-Terzi, S.J. (1631-1687); The Father of Aeronautics | url = http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/scientists/lana.htm | accessdate = 1 May 2010 | archive-date = 24 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210424104423/http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/scientists/lana.htm | url-status = dead }} The asteroid ''6892 Lana'' was named after him.{{cite web |url= https://www.vaticanobservatory.org/sacred-space-astronomy/latest-batch-of-named-asteroids-includes-three-jesuit-astronomers-and-a-pope/ |title= Latest Batch of Named Asteroids Includes Three Jesuit Astronomers and a Pope |last= Macke |first= Robert |date= 11 February 2023 |website= Vatican Observatory |publisher= |access-date= November 20, 2025 |quote=}}

== Airship design ==

== Airship design ==