Meteorological Instrumentation

Meterologica

340

Meterologica was first written about by Aristotle. his detailed writings about the weather allow us to know that there was a wind vane direction indicator on top of the Tower of the Winds in Athens. This was believed to be the first atmospheric measuring device.

Hygrometer

Jul 26, 1500

German Mathematician Cardinal Nicholas deCusa invented the hygrometer for measuring
humidity by calculating the weight of
wool’s absorbsion of water vapor against
a balance beam.

Thermometer

Nov 2, 1600

The thermometer was invented to establish a value
reference for hot and cold degrees. Galileo, Santorio, Drebel and
Fludd all share in the development of today’s most widely used
weather tool.

Mercury Barometer

Jul 7, 1640

Following the inention of the thermometer, the mercury barometer was invented by Evangelista Torricelli.

National Weather Service Begins

Nov 1, 1870

. Joseph
Henry established the first weather
reporting system on behalf of the
Smithsonian Institution
with 150 volunteers
in locations across
America. President
Ulysses Grant
created the U.S. Signal
Service on November
1, 1870, which was the
beginning of what is now
known as the National Weather
Service.

Balloons and Aircraft Used

Apr 15, 1910

Between 1910 and 1930,
the science of using soundings
provided by balloons and aircraft
revealed properties of the atmosphere
with height. This three dimensional
analysis became a valuable aid to
forecasters and subsequently to
computer generated applications of
predicting the weather

Radar Sites Established

Apr 15, 1950

Created to provide timely observations and publc weather warnings.

Doppler Radar

Feb 25, 1960

A complex weather radar that added new light to storm tracking.

Infrared Observations Satellite

Apr 8, 1960

Continues to improve with
visible and infrared coverage
blanketing the globe.