Engineering professors as entrepreneurs: the case of Franz Reuleaux (1829–1905) and Alois Riedler (1850–1936)

Abstract

Franz Reuleaux and Alois Riedler were probably the best known professors of mechanical engineering in late nineteenth century Germany. The country was becoming one of the world’s leading industrial countries, and Reuleaux and Riedler tried to contribute to this process. They obtained patents, founded their own companies, invested in both already existing and newly erected firms, and worked as consultants. In doing so, Reuleaux lost nearly all his capital while Riedler became a millionaire. In this paper, I use the story of these two academics as cases for examining the following questions on academic entrepreneurship: What kind of commercial activities did these professors perform? What were the conflicts between the professors and the state bureaucracy on the one hand and industry on the other hand? What were the reasons for their success and failure? The case studies on Reuleaux and Riedler are based on printed and archival sources.     

Die kultreform des ahas (2 kön 16,10–18)

Abstract

In 1 Kön 16,10–18? wird eine Kultreform des Ahas beschrieben. Zum einen hat er den regelmäßigen Brandopferkult in Jerusalem eingeführt und hierfür einen Altar nach Damaszener Vorbild aufstellen lassen (V. 10–16?). Zum anderen ließ er die mit Jahwe verbundenen Bilder des ehernen Meeres und der Kesselwagen beseitigen (V. 17). Außerdem sind auf ihn Baumaßnahmen am Tempelplatz zurückzuführen (V. 18a). Die angebliche Sabbathalle gab es nie; der Text wurde hier versehentlich falsch punktiert.     

Mathematics, experience and laboratories: Herbart's and Brentano's role in the rise of scientific psychology

In this article we present and compare two early attempts to establish psychology as an independent scientific discipline that had considerable influence in central Europe: the theories of Johann Friedrich Herbart (1776-1841) and Franz Brentano (1838-1917). While both of them emphasize that psychology ought to be conceived as an empirical science, their conceptions show revealing differences. Herbart starts with metaphysical principles and aims at mathematizing psychology, whereas Brentano rejects all metaphysics and bases his method on a conception of inner perception (as opposed to inner observation) as a secondary consciousness, by means of which one gets to be aware of all of one's own conscious phenomena. Brentano's focus on inner perception brings him to deny the claim that there could be unconscious mental phenomena - a view that stands in sharp contrast to Herbart's emphasis on unconscious, "repressed" presentations as a core element of his mechanics of mind. Herbart, on the other hand, denies any role for psychological experiments, while Brentano encouraged laboratory work, thus paving the road for the more experimental work of his students like Stumpf and Meinong. By briefly tracing the fate of the schools of Herbart and Brentano, respectively, we aim to illustrate their impact on the development of psychological research, mainly in central Europe.     

文化遗产在欧洲:本真的神话

<正>今天我要谈谈"文化遗产"(cultural heritage)这一概念的漫长发展过程,其中会兼及"文化本真性"(cultural authenticity)的概念。从某种程度上说,在其成为今天这样一场"全球性的"运动之前,"文化遗产"是一个典型的"欧洲的"建构和传统。     

Spezialisierung und Bildungsanspruch. Zur Geschichte der Technischen Hochschulen im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert

In the late 19th century at the “Technische Hochschulen” the understanding of “Wissenschaft” and “Bildung” changed considerably. During the 19th century the “Polytechnische Schulen” and “Technische Hochschulen” adopted the neo-humanistic standards of “Bildung”, established by the universities and the “Humanistische Gymnasium”. At the end of the century they joined the “realistische Schulbewegung” which emphasized the value of mathematics and natural sciences, taking issue with the classical languages. At the same time, systematic experimentation was added to mathematics, natural sciences and technical experience to constitute the specific methodology of engineering sciences. Attempts to define specific technical elements of “Allgemein-bildung” did not succeed as a result of the rapidly increasing differentiation and specialization of engineering sciences.     

Der kundige Laie und das naturkundliche illustrierte Flugblatt der frühen Neuzeit

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how German and Latin illustrated broadsheets of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries can serve as documents of the history of sciences and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. It shows how broadsheets were used as a means of conveying scientific observations and conclusions not only among scholars versed in Latin but, through the medium of the vernacular, between scholars and laymen, too. In the fields of medicine, astronomy, zoology and botany in particular, the illustrated broadsheet facilitated the rapid circulation of case histories and accounts of various scientific phenomena. Furthermore, it played an important role in breaking down the barriers that separated the scholar from the layman, who was otherwise far removed from the world of books.