Ukichiro Nakaya

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ukichiro Nakaya

Role / Field:

Pioneering Japanese physicist known for glaciology and creating the first artificial snowflakes.

Born:

1900-07-04

Died:

1962-04-11

Century / Era:

1900s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Ukichiro Nakaya (中谷 宇吉郎, Nakaya Ukichirō; July 4, 1900 – April 11, 1962) was a Japanese physicist and science essayist known for his work in glaciology and low-temperature sciences. He is credited with making the first artificial snowflakes. Nakaya was born near the Katayamazu hot springs in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, near the area depicted in Hokuetsu Seppu, an encyclopedic work published in 1837 that contains 183 sketches of natural snowflake crystals – the subject that became Nakaya's life work. Nakaya later wrote that his father wanted him to be a potter and sent him to live with a potter while he was in primary school. His father died after he finished primary school, but Nakaya's first scientific paper, written in 1924 for the inaugural issue of the proceedings of the Physics Department of Tokyo Imperial University, was devoted to Japanese Kutani porcelain.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Nakaya was inspired to study physics in high school by the nebular hypotheses of Kant and Laplace and by the works of Hajime Tanabe. He majored in experimental physics under Torahiko Terada at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1925. Soon thereafter, he became Terada's research assistant at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). Nakaya studied electrostatic discharge as an assistant professor at Tokyo Imperial University. In 1928 and 1929, he continued his graduate studies at King's College London under Owen Willans Richardson, where he worked with long-wavelength X-rays.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1930, he became an assistant professor at Hokkaido University, with which he would be associated for the rest of his life, and later that year he received his doctor of science degree from Kyoto Imperial University. When he arrived at Hokkaido University, the physics department had a minimum of equipment and few research funds. But there was an unlimited supply of natural snow, so Nakaya began his research into snow crystals. From over 3,000 photomicrographs he established a general classification of natural snow crystals. In 1935, he opened the Low Temperature Science Laboratory, and on March 12, 1936, created the first artificial snow crystal.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1837: 1837 Milestone — Nakaya was born near the Katayamazu hot springs in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, near the area depicted in Hokuetsu Seppu, an encyclopedic work published in 1837 that contains 183 sketches of natural snowflake crystals – the subject that became Nakaya's life work.
2. 1900 (1900-07-04): Birth of Ukichiro Nakaya — Pioneering Japanese physicist known for glaciology and creating the first artificial snowflakes.
3. 1924: 1924 Milestone — His father died after he finished primary school, but Nakaya's first scientific paper, written in 1924 for the inaugural issue of the proceedings of the Physics Department of Tokyo Imperial University, was devoted to Japanese Kutani porcelain.
4. 1925: 1925 Milestone — He majored in experimental physics under Torahiko Terada at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1925.
5. 1928: 1928 Milestone — In 1928 and 1929, he continued his graduate studies at King's College London under Owen Willans Richardson, where he worked with long-wavelength X-rays.
6. 1930: 1930 Milestone — In 1930, he became an assistant professor at Hokkaido University, with which he would be associated for the rest of his life, and later that year he received his doctor of science degree from Kyoto Imperial University.
7. 1935: 1935 Milestone — In 1935, he opened the Low Temperature Science Laboratory, and on March 12, 1936, created the first artificial snow crystal.
8. 1962 (1962-04-11): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ukichiro Nakaya passed away on 1962-04-11, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ukichiro Nakaya

True or False: “Nakaya's initial attempts to create artificial snow crystals successfully formed perfect, textbook-style snowflakes immediately.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His early experiments were difficult; instead of forming snowflakes, the ice crystals initially grew in unexpected shapes, like caterpillars.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Copland — Contemporary (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Adolf Dassler — Contemporary (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Agnes Moorehead — Contemporary (Born in 1900) (1900): Iconic American actress celebrated for stage, film, and television roles.
• A. K. Fazlul Huq — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Pakistani statesman and jurist, known as Sher-e-Bangla, a founding father of Pakistan.
• Abdullah II of Jordan — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): King of Jordan, a Hashemite monarch who assumed the throne in 1999.
• Ada Cohen — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): American art historian specializing in ancient Greek art, especially Alexander the Great.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Shared historical date (07-04 · Died) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Abe Masakatsu — Shared historical date (07-04 · Born) (1541): Japanese samurai of the Abe clan who served Tokugawa Ieyasu and gained significant status.
• Ahmed Ben Bella — Shared historical date (04-11 · Died) (2012): Algerian revolutionary and politician who served as the first President of Algeria.
• Ahmed Rushdi — Shared historical date (04-11 · Died) (1983): A legendary Pakistani playback singer, known as the 'Magician of Voice'.
• 1900 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1900
• July 4 (07-04) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 4
• 1962 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1962
• April 11 (04-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Ukichiro Nakaya