Marin Getaldić (1568 – 1626) was a renowned Croatian mathematician and physicist born in Dubrovnik. Getaldić studied across Europe, and even spent time with famous Galileo Galilei.
He studied the practical application of mathematics in solving geodetic problems. He even tried to determine the latitude of Constantinople and Dubrovnik. Getaldić’s work significantly influenced the development of the application of algebra to geometry before the discovery of analytic geometry.
However, Marin Getaldić was most known for his work in the field of optics. In the cave that was on his family estate, he performed all sorts of experiments with parabolic mirrors. His fellow citizens believed he was burning ships on the sea with his instruments and declared him a sorcerer. But what they didn’t know is that his parabolic mirror construction will enable communication for satellites and spacecraft (to this day). His construction is also used for microwave transmission of radar antennas and wireless WLAN connections. Furthermore, it is used in telescopes, microscopes and reflectors. We can’t help but wonder, what our world would be like without Marin Getaldić?
To this day the cave, a favourite destination of both tourists and locals, bears the name Bete’s Cave/Betina Špilja, according to his nickname, Bete.