Jozef Karol Hell's (1713-1789, principal mine senior mechanic in ore reserve of Banská Štiavnica) water-pillar, water-pump machine for pumping mine waters, contributed pretty much to the fact, that ore reserve of Banská Štiavnica became a most important centre of silver mining,science, technology and education in Europe, in a 2-nd half of 18.century.

The first J. K. Hell's water-pillar, water-pump machine was built in 1749 on "Leopold" schaft. At first this machine pumped water from a depth of 212 m, then up to 275 m. The machine worked based on about 90 m high water pillar. In 1749-1768 J. K. Hell built at least 8 machines like that, which not only pretty much contributed for "gold age" of mining in ore reserve of Banská Štiavnica, but they also belonged to the top of mine water-pumping technology worldwide in a 2-nd half of 18. century.

Mr. Ján Novák
director of Slovak museum of mining