Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz was a German physician and physicist who made significant contributions to various fields of science, including optics, physiology, and mathematics. Some common synonyms for Helmholtz are "Helmholtzian," which is used to describe his works or principles that are influenced by him, and "Helmholtz coil," which is a device he invented to study electromagnetism. He is also synonymous with his famous inventions and concepts, such as the Helmholtz resonator, Helmholtz equation, and Helmholtz free energy. Although he is well-known for his scientific contributions, he is also characterized as a visionary educator and researcher, who laid the foundation for many contemporary scientific discoveries.