Otto von Guericke was born on November 20, 1602, in Magdeburg, Germany. While he studied mathematics, law, and engineering, Guericke would become famous for his experiments with a vacuum and air pressure.

Following travels to England and France, Guericke returned to Magdeburg in 1627 and became a politician. Unfortunately, this was during the Thirty Years' War, and Guericke and his family had to flee the city in 1631. After the war, he returned and helped rebuild the city, becoming mayor in 1646. Twenty years later he became a noble and added "von" to his name.

During Guericke's time, scientists were involved in an argument about whether a vacuum could exist. Guericke, who believed in the Copernican theory of the solar system, was extremely interested in understanding the nature of space. He wondered whether empty space could exist. Many scientists held on to the Aristotelian theory that a vacuum was impossible. Aristotle (384-322 B...