Joseph Fourier

Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830) was a French mathematician and physicist. He is credited with describing the Fourier series based on which the Fourier transform has been formed. He is also generally credited with the discovery of the greenhouse effect. While Fourier's theoretical work was without practical consequences to the world during his lifetime, today his mathematical creations are extremely important in a wide range of computer-based technologies, ranging from reconstruction of graphical representations from nuclear emissions in computer-aided tomography (CAT scans), to the compression algorithm for images such as .jpg.

Life

He was born on March 21, 1768, and passed away on May 16, 1830.

His work in mathematical physics often overshadows his contributions to science as an Egyptologist.

Writings

Fourier, Joseph - Description of Egypt, monograph