Baron Jurij Vega (1754 – 1802) was a renowned mathematician and artillery expert known for creating the first comprehensive logarithmic tables used worldwide. Born in Zagorica, Slovenia, he excelled academically and later joined the military in Vienna, achieving the rank of major. His expertise in mathematics led to numerous accolades, including the Order of Maria Theresia and a hereditary baron title.
Vega’s contributions extended to education, where he authored textbooks on mathematics and physics, including a groundbreaking work in 1787 that laid the foundation for the science of ballistics. In 1783, he published his initial logarithmic tables, followed by more extensive versions in 1793 and 1794, featuring faster converging equations he developed himself. These logarithmic tables were widely used across Europe until the advent of electronic calculators, earning Vega recognition in esteemed academies of science.
