RITTINGER, Peter Ritter von
* 23. 1. 1811, Nový Jičín, Czech Republic
† 7. 12. 1872, Vienna, Austria
Mountain scientist, inventor (Process Engineering)
Being an orphan, R. early established contact with his benefactor, who, after R. finished grammar school (1831-35), supported his philosophical and legal studies at the University in Olomouc, and his study at Forestry and Mining Academy in Banská Štiavnica from 1836 to 1839. In 1840 R. entered the civil service as the metallurgical inspector – an occupation he performed until his death. Since 1845 he managed the construction issues in the search for coal in the civil service in the Czech Republic and Moravia. 1850 R. arrived in Vienna, where he first worked as a departmental councillor for construction and processing area at the Ministry of Agriculture and mining and as a ministerial adviser from 1864. Since 1872 he was the Head of Administration of State domain and forests at Ministry of Agriculture.
As an administrator R. all his life strove for further development of the field of manufacturing science by means of publications and technical innovations.
Travelling abroad, among other things, to the world exhibitions in London (1851 and 1862) and Paris (1855 and 1867), expanded his professional horizons. The apparatus for separating, washing drum, a system for waste steam in the housing for the fermentation of salt (heat pump), the first Austrian water pump as well as engaged and washing furnaces for processing of extracted ore are considered his most important legacy. As recognition of his merits R. was elevated to knighthood in 1863. The Austrian architectural and engineering association chose him for its chairman for the 1863-65 periods.
