ADOLF SLABY

' Adolf Karl Heinrich Slaby ' was a German wireless pioneer. (18 April 1849 in Berlin; † 6 April 1913 in Berlin) He was the first Professor of electro-technology at the Technical University of Berlin (1886).

Contents

Education

Early researches

Elektrotechnology

Radio

Founding of Telefunken

Engagement for the Hochschule

Retirement

Memorials

References

External Links

Education

Adolf Slaby, son of a bookbinder enrolled at the City of Berlin trade academy, the forerunner of TH Charlottenburg, in order to study mechanical engineering and mathematics under Franz Reuleaux. He was employed as an in-house instructor at the machine manufacturer Louis Schwartzkopff, whereby also an intensive contact resulted to practical mechanical engineering. Slaby continued his studies at the University of Jena, and received his Dr. phil. in mathematics.

Early researches

He then began teaching mathematics and mechanics at the vocational school at Potsdam, where he also conducted experiments on steam and petrol engines. He wrote his book 'Theorie der Gasmaschinen', which took an important place in the development of Internal combustion engines..

Elektrotechnology

Berlin was at that time the center of electro-technology, with Werner von Siemens in a leading position. He supported Slaby personally in his private studies. Slaby performed his Habilitation at the City of Berlin trade academy in 1876, and thereupon lectured on electrical motors electrical telegraphy and Electromechanics. 1883 he became an ordentliche Professor (full professor) for electro-technology. In the meantime the Charlottenburg Technical Academy had been renamed a university. Slaby developed there a program of theoretical lectures connected with practical work. With the generous support of industry he established in 1844 an electrotechnical laboratory '' (see: Chronicle of the Kgl. TH 1799 - 1899, S. 190ff), Thus Berlin became the most important training centre for the recently-developed electro-technology.

Radio

As a result of his personal acquaintance with the head of the English telegraph administration, Sir William Henry Preece (1834 - 1917), from 1897 Slaby participated with the help of his assistant George count von Arco from 1897 in Marconi's experiments with wireless telegraphy at the English Channel. He recognized immediately the meaning of this invention, whereupon he immediately repeated the experiments in Berlin as well, and developed the physical and technical bases. The Emperor and the military authorities appeared very interested. The wireless telegraphy - trials took place first to the Technical University of Berlin and then between Church of the Redeemer, Sacrow and the 1.6 kilometers distant Marine station Kongsnaes at the New gardens in Potsdam. On 7 October 1897 he established a radio link between Schöneberg and Rangsdorf, which at 21 km represented a world record. In the following summer he reached over 60 km from Berlin to Jüterbog. Crucial improvements led to the success, not of spark gap transmission antennas as used by [[Guglielmo Marconi|Marconi, but in inductive Antennas [[induction (electro-technology). [source: Fassbender, 1965]

Founding of Telefunken

Radio communications were also investigated elsewhere, by Slaby at the AEG, by Marconi Wireless telegraph Co. and by Ferdinand Braun at Siemens & Halske. This led to the fact that the radiogram of a Slaby was rejected by a Marconi station, because the licensing forbade it. This untenable condition led to consolidation: in 1903 AEG and Siemens & Halske formed the "Gesellschaft für drahtlose Telegrafen m. b. H. System Telefunken, known as Telefunken.

Engagement for the Hochschule

He became both chairman of VDI and 1893 as the first chairmen of VDE, and had a personal audience with Emperor Wilhelm II. He gave lectures about technology in the Berlin Palace,and organized experimental lectures for the emperor at the TH Berlin. This accomplished the social recognition of engineers and the complete equal rights of the technical universities with the universities. Adolf Slaby became 1898 the first representative of a TH to be a lifetime member in Prussian Herrenhaus. Slaby was additionally 1906 to 18 January 1912 chairman of the board of the Akademischer Verein Hütte (Association of Students) from 1906 to 1912.

Retirement

In 1906 Slaby retired top emeritus status. His successor was Ernst Orlich, a representative of the classical mathematical treatment of the problems of the theoretical electro-technology.

Memorials

★ There is a City of Berlin Plaque to him at the technical University of Berlin, with the following inscription in blue writing on white KPM - porcelain reading "BERLINER GEDENKTAFEL In dem hier vormals stehenden Hause - Sophienstraße 4 - lebte von 1885 bis 1913 der Pionier der Funktechnik ADOLF SLABY18.4.1849 - 6.4.1913 Erster Professor der Elektrotechnik an der Technischen Hochschule Charlottenburg Mitbegründer der Telefunken AG" (Here lived from 1885 to 1913 Adolf Slaby ( 18.4.1849 - 6.4.1913) , the pioneer of radio engineering, first professor of electro-technology at the Technical University Charlottenburg , joint founder of Telefunken AG)

★ to the memory of Slaby was published A stamp was published in his memory, at the Federal Post Office Berlin (first day of issue his 125th Birthday on 14 April 1974).

★ In two districts of Berlin (Treptow Köpenick and Marzahn Hellersdorf) there are roads named after Adolf Slaby.

References

;Publications

★ Slaby, Adolphus, "''The New Telegraphy, Recent experiments in telegraphy with sparks.''". The Century Magazine. April, 1898. (Earlyradiohistory.us)

External Links

★ Gedenktafel of the district Charlottenburg Wilmersdorf of Berlin

★ 100 years of radio attempts. Article of Professor Dr. - engineer Peter Noll

★ information on the web page of the academic association HUT registered association