10 Facts About Josef Ressel

Josef Ludwig Franz Ressel was a Bohemia-born Austrian forester and inventor who designed one of the first working ship's propellers.

Josef Ressel's father Anton Hermann Ressel was a native German speaker, and his mother Marie Anna Konvickova was a native Czech speaker.

Josef Ressel studied at the Linz Gymnasium, Budweis artillery school, University of Vienna and the Mariabrunn Forestry Academy at Mariabrunn Monastery then near Vienna.

Josef Ressel worked for the Austrian government as a forester in the more southern parts of the monarchy, including in Motovun, Istria.

Josef Ressel's work was to secure a supply of quality wood for the Navy.

Josef Ressel worked in Landstrass, where he tested his ship propellers for the first time.

Josef Ressel modified a steam-powered boat Civetta by 1829 and test-navigated it in the Trieste harbor at six knots before the steam conduits exploded.

Josef Ressel played an important role in the reforestation of the Karst Plateau near Trieste.

Josef Ressel died in Laibach and was buried there in St Christopher's Cemetery in the Bezigrad district.

Josef Ressel's gravestone is displayed today in Navje Memorial Park.