The Story of John Milne

The extraordinary career and travels of the founder of modern seismology

Documentary film
22 October 2014, 18.00
AUS 2013 / English, 60 min.

Enlarged view: Portrait of John Milne
John "Earthquake" Milne. Source: Tokyo University Library Archives

John Milne (1850 to 1913) was a British geologist, engineer and seismologist. He is considered as one of the most significant contributors to the understanding and research of earthquakes.

Following a large earthquake in the Yokohama area (Japan) in 1880, Milne invented the first modern seismograph to measure and record earthquakes. He is known as "Earthquake Milne" or the "Father of Seismology".

In this documentary, Dr. William Twycross presents the adventures and pioneering work of his great-uncle in honour of the 100th anniversary of his death.

The film is shown as part of the special exhibition "unforeSeeable – Earthquakes in Switzerland" (6 September to 30 November 2014).

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