Rudolf Goldschmidt
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Goldschmidt was a German engineer
and inventor.
Goldschmidt was born in Neubukow and earned an engineering degree in 1878. He spent the following decade working in England with major firms such as Westinghouse. Subsequently he returned to Germany and eventually became a professor at Darmstadt
. During this period he developed the high-frequency radio-telegraph apparatus known as Goldschmidt Alternator, used in the first direct communications link between Germany
and the United States
, which was inaugurated on June 19, 1914 with a ceremonial exchange of telegrams between Kaiser Wilhelm II and President Woodrow Wilson
.
During the nineteen twenties, Goldschmidt directed an industrial research lab in Berlin. Here he met Albert Einstein
. In 1928, a singer with whom the physicist was acquainted suffered a hearing loss, which misfortune set Einstein to thinking about hearing aids. Soon he had an idea and asked Goldschmidt to help him develop a working model. In due course patent 590783 was issued to Goldschmidt and Einstein on January 10, 1934.
In 1934, Goldschmidt emigrated to England. He kept up his correspondence with Einstein until his death in Bournemouth
in 1950.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and inventor.
Goldschmidt was born in Neubukow and earned an engineering degree in 1878. He spent the following decade working in England with major firms such as Westinghouse. Subsequently he returned to Germany and eventually became a professor at Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
. During this period he developed the high-frequency radio-telegraph apparatus known as Goldschmidt Alternator, used in the first direct communications link between Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which was inaugurated on June 19, 1914 with a ceremonial exchange of telegrams between Kaiser Wilhelm II and President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
.
During the nineteen twenties, Goldschmidt directed an industrial research lab in Berlin. Here he met Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
. In 1928, a singer with whom the physicist was acquainted suffered a hearing loss, which misfortune set Einstein to thinking about hearing aids. Soon he had an idea and asked Goldschmidt to help him develop a working model. In due course patent 590783 was issued to Goldschmidt and Einstein on January 10, 1934.
In 1934, Goldschmidt emigrated to England. He kept up his correspondence with Einstein until his death in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
in 1950.