The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in 1920 to Charles Édouard Guillaume in recognition of the precision measurements made possible by his identification of nickel-steel alloy anomalies. His career centered on the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, where he served as director from 1915 until 1936, solidifying his role in the establishment of global measurement standards.
Early Education and Career
Born in 1861 in Fleurier, Switzerland, Guillaume pursued his studies at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, earning his Ph.D. in 1883. His professional life was defined by his long-standing affiliation with the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Beyond his administrative duties, he collaborated with Kristian Birkeland at the Observatoire de Paris in Meudon, where he focused on thermostatic measurement experiments.
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Guillaume attained professional distinction for the discovery of specific nickel-steel alloys, which he designated as invar, elinvar, and platinite. Invar exhibited a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion, providing essential stability for precision instrumentation. Elinvar, characterized by a near-zero thermal coefficient of elasticity, proved highly effective for marine chronometers. He further contributed to horology by developing the Guillaume balance, a specialized balance wheel designed to mitigate middle-temperature errors.
Astrophysical Inquiry
In 1896, Guillaume authored the article La Température de L'Espace, which offered an early estimate for the temperature of space, calculating it between 5 and 6 Kelvin. This investigation situated him as an early contributor to the study of conditions beyond stellar environments, a field later associated with the cosmic microwave background.
Recognition and Legacy
Throughout his life, Guillaume received numerous honors, including the John Scott Award in 1914 and the Dennis Gabor Medal and Prize in 1928. He became an Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1908 and was promoted to Grand Officer in 1937. He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences. He died in Sèvres in 1938 and is buried at the Cimetière de Fleurier.
Fast facts
- Born: 1861, Fleurier
- Died: 1938, Sèvres
- Education: ETH Zurich, University of Zurich
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1920
- Known for: Discovery of invar and elinvar
- Citizenship: Switzerland and France
- Director of International Bureau of Weights and Measures: 1915-1936
- Notable honor: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
Questions readers ask
What practical benefit did the invar alloy provide?
It featured a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion, ensuring that precision instruments maintained constant dimensions despite fluctuating temperatures.
What was Guillaume's contribution to cosmology?
In his 1896 article, he provided one of the earliest estimates for the temperature of space, placing it at 5–6 Kelvin.
Achievements
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour — 1937
- Officer of the Legion of Honour — 1908
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 1920
- Held posts at International Bureau of Weights and Measures
- Educated at ETH Zurich and University of Zurich
- Fields of research: physics
