Johann Wilhelm Ritter

Lore & Background

Ritter was born in Samitz near Haynau in Silesia. He began his scientific career at age 14 as an apothecary's apprentice in Liegnitz, then studied medicine at the University of Jena in 1796. A self-taught scientist, he conducted extensive experimental research on chemistry and electricity. He interpreted galvanic phenomena as due to electricity from chemical reactions, an interpretation closer to modern views than those of Galvani or Volta, though it was not accepted at the time.

In 1800, shortly after the voltaic pile was invented, Ritter independently discovered that water could be decomposed by electricity, and he collected and measured the hydrogen and oxygen produced. He also discovered electroplating. In 1802 he built an electrochemical cell with 50 copper discs and cardboard moistened with salt solution. He performed self-experiments applying voltaic poles to his own body and described differences in physiological effects between the poles, though some effects were not confirmed later.

Ritter belonged to the German Romantic movement and was acquainted with Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Herder, and Brentano. He was influenced by Schelling's Naturphilosophie, which guided his search for polarities in nature. In 1801, after hearing of Herschel's infrared discovery, Ritter sought a cooling radiation at the spectrum's violet end; instead, he found that silver chloride darkened faster in the dark region beyond violet, discovering ultraviolet radiation. He also claimed unconfirmed phenomena, such as Earth having electric poles detectable by a bimetallic needle and electrolysis using magnets.

Reader's Guide

Johann Wilhelm Ritter's significance lies in several foundational discoveries in physics and chemistry. His identification of ultraviolet radiation extended the known electromagnetic spectrum beyond visible light, a key step in understanding radiation. His independent discovery of water electrolysis and measurement of the gases produced advanced electrochemistry, while his development of electroplating laid groundwork for industrial applications. Ritter's work was shaped by Naturphilosophie, a Romantic philosophical framework that sought polarities and unity in natural forces; this perspective both inspired his ultraviolet search and led to unverified claims. Despite his contributions, Ritter lacked regular income and never became a university professor, though he was elected to the Bavarian Academy of Science in 1804. His legacy is complicated by financial hardship and early death at age 33, possibly worsened by his electrical self-experimentation. His findings were later reported by Hans Christian Ørsted, who also embraced Naturphilosophie. Ritter remains a notable figure in the history of science, representing the intersection of Romantic philosophy and empirical research.

Did You Know?

• Ritter discovered ultraviolet radiation by noticing that silver chloride darkened faster in the dark region beyond the violet end of the Sun's spectrum.
• He independently discovered the electrolysis of water shortly after Nicholson and Carlisle, and measured the amounts of hydrogen and oxygen produced.
• Ritter performed self-experiments by applying the poles of a voltaic pile to his own hands, eyes, ears, nose, and tongue.
• He was elected a member of the Bavarian Academy of Science in 1804 but never became a university professor.