PERSONALITIES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SLOVAKIA, August 12nd – September 30th, 2009.

In the region of Slovakia, which long ago was part of Austrro-Hungarian kingdom, monasteries and their schools were the main factors of education. The situation partially changed after establishing the university Academia Istropolitana in Bratislava in 1467.

Significant results were recorded in the field of the development of mining and metallurgy in Slovakia in the past with its main centers in Kremnica, Banská Štiavnica and Banská Bystrica.

 

The first use of gunpowder in mining for rock breaking was in Banská Štiavnica in 1627. Slovakia became the first country in Europe where steam engine of Newcomen´s type was already in use in 1722, its construction was improving due to the contribution of Slovak technicians.

 

In 1735, Mining School was founded in Banská Štiavnica. Excellent results contributed to the fact that Maria Theresa of Austria approved the establishment of a higher school, later known as the Mining and Forestry Academy in Banská Štiavnica, it was the first higher school of this type in the world and served as a model for founding the world-known Ecole Polytechnique in Paris.

 

Apart from the Banská Štiavnica Academy, there were only very few possibilities of scientific work and/or research in Slovakia before the year 1918. Despite this fact, research was also carried out in other scientific fields by scholars not only from abroad but from Slovakia, too. These scientists worked at secondary schools, in hospitals, as well as in the only one scientific workplace - Astronomical, Meteorological and Geophysical Observatory in Hurbanovo, founded in 1867.

 

Many talented naturalists, doctors and technicians left Slovakia and emigrated abroad because of the bad conditions in the education system and research workplaces. It was obvious beginning from the 18^th century. Scientific research results of scientists and technicians from Slovakia provide evidence of their successful working abroad, e.g. in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, France, but also in America.

 

In the 20^th century, more favorable conditions for scientific research were created in Slovakia. Outstanding personalities participated in founding and institutional establishment of different fields of study at universities, higher schools, scientific research institutions or the Slovak Academy of Sciences.