Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel

Dietrich Nikolaus angle ( * 1777 in Lippstadt, † September 28, 1826 in Amsterdam ) was a German - Dutch inventor.

He invented, among other things, a precursor of the metronome and the Componium, a machine modeled after the Panharmonikons. New part was that this machine could make variations to the stored music.

Life

Angle settled shortly after 1800 in Amsterdam. He noted that the pendulum were provided on both sides with weights, were better suited for slow intervals. The first of these ' cronometer ' received the Dutch Institute van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde Schoone en Kunsten in Amsterdam. This Royal Institute of Science and Arts in Amsterdam this chronometer officially registered on 14 August 1815. Johann Nepomuk Mälzel added to this instrument still at a scale and had it as a metronome patented. After a lawsuit Dietrich Nikolaus angle was credited with the invention.

Contemporary newspaper reports

German text from 1845:

"In Germany, acquired by this invention Bürja in Berlin, Weisske in Meissen and mainly Stockei in Burg 1801 earnings. In recent invention improved the famous mechanic Mälzel in Vienna, however angle whose fame in Amsterdam dispute made ​​by this for the inventor instrument, called from now on Mälzel metronome, metronome ausgab.Dieser consists of a pendulum in a metallic on which a movable, to detect, provided with a screw lead weight, the regulator is located. It has now these both simple pendulum hanging freely, as well as by a clockwork driven, in which latter case he, as a matter of course, is much more expensive, and the purpose ..... not better fulfilled than the simple. pendulum itself is divided into degrees, the numbers of 50-160 "

Another report from 1870 takes the view that Mälzel idea was copied. A very detailed discussion can be found in the general musical newspaper of 1818.

Quote from: The Harmonicon, Volume 4, Part 1, William Ayrton - 1826:

" AMSTERDAM. On the 28th September died in this city, M. angle, well known for his skill in mechanical science, particularly as Applied to music. As a proof of his talents, we need only mention the Componium, or musical improvisers gates *, which excited great interest amongst connoisseurs, particularly at Paris Several other specimens of musical mechanism do honor to his talents; . but in private life he what modest, and others Often Obtained credit for inventions M. which angle might also justly have Claimed The Metronome. Usually called Maelzel 's, ought to bear the name of angle, for the original idea was his; Although it is true did Maelzel Brought to perfection the instrument which was invented by the Dutch mechanic revue. Encyclopidique ".