The Reaumur temperature scale is named after the French scientist Rene Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur (1683-1757). He proposed his temperature scale, in 1731. Reaumur divided the fundamental interval between the ice and steam points of water into 80 degrees, fixing the ice point at 0 Degrees and the steam point at 80 degrees. An elaborate temperature measuring device graduated in Reaumur can be seen at Speke Hall, Liverpool. Rene Reaumur also made important discoveries in the fabrication of steel from iron, carried out experiments on the artificial incubation of eggs, and was an authority on the natural history of insects and the manufacture of tin ware.
The reaumur scale, although of historical significance, is no longer in use.
Created and maintained by Frans Coenen. Last updated 02 August 1999