Johann Heinrich Lambert was born 26 August 1728 in Mulhouse, present day Alsace, France. His father was a tailor named Lukas Lambert, whose father was also a tailor. The family was not well off and at the age of twelve young Johann Lambert he had to begin working for his father which forced him to leave school. As he continued to work for his father he did not forgo his studies. He filled his time in which he was not helping his father with reading and learning scientific subjects on his own. He