Henri-Prudence Gambey

Henri-Prudence Gambey (8 October 1787 – 29 January 1847) was a French mechanic and scientific instrument maker.

He learned to draw and design mechanical devices and attracted the attention of engineer Cottenet who suggested that he study in Paris.

He then worked with Lenoir and in 1898 he joined the Ecole des Arts et Métiers where he designed a dividing machine and then founded a small workshop at Faubourg Saint-Denis for precision instruments.

He collaborated with major scientists of the period, making instruments for Dulong and Petit; a heliostat for Fresnel;[1] and a compass for Coulomb.

[3][4] Gambey was made knight of the order of the French Legion of Honor in 1827 and awarded the Lalande Prize for 1830.