Massimo Torricelli was an Italian physicist and mathematician born in 1608. He is best known for his work in fluid dynamics and for inventing the barometer, a device used to measure atmospheric pressure. His experiments laid the groundwork for understanding the behavior of gases and liquids. Torricelli studied under Galileo Galilei and contributed to the field of mathematics, particularly in calculus. He is also recognized for Torricelli's law, which describes the speed of fluid flowing out of an orifice. His contributions significantly advanced the scientific understanding of pressure and fluid mechanics.