Boris Veinberg

Born July 20 (Aug. 1), 1871; died 1942, in Leningrad. Soviet geophysicist.

Veinberg graduated from the University of St. Petersburg in 1893. From 1909 to 1924 he was a professor at the Tomsk Technological Institute. In 1924 he became director and subsequently a member of the Central Geophysical Observatory. Beginning in 1940, Veinberg was head of a section at the Scientific Research Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism. In 1906 he proposed a theory for the movement of ice over a sloping channel. He studied the movement of arctic glaciers as well as the physical and mechanical properties of ice. Veinberg organized 23 expeditions to study magnetism (1909-14).Beginning in 1927, he directed studies in applied solar energy. He developed a methodology for designing solar energy installations and was the creator of a number of inventions in the field of applied solar energy, such as solar-powered steam boilers and distilling installations.