Year: 2014
Type: book
Abstract: With his seminal contributions to applied mechanics, hydro-, aero-and gas dynamics, Ludwig Prandtl decisively advanced developments in these fields in the first half of this century.With the publication of his collected works, in three volumes, which took place a few years after his death, his papers became accessible to subsequent generations.This written legacy is, however, only a part of his lifework which science has to thank this genial scholar for.Through his encouragement, he also contributed to the work of numerous students and research associates, as well as many colleagues throughout the world.The portrait of Ludwig Prandtl the researcher would be incomplete if reference were not made, in addition to his scientific works, to his qualities as a person.Some of his former co-workers have, on the occasion of remembrance, described their experiences stemming from encounters with their teacher and so have tried to keep alive the memory of his radiant and exemplary character.As the essays and treatises with recollections are widely scattered, there is a danger that, in the course of time, they will fall into oblivion.So, there has also been the fear that a biography of Ludwig Prandtl would never be written.This gap is filled by the book presented here which was written by his daughter Johanna Vogel-Prandtl.With her memories and other material, she wished, above all, to bring the reader closer to the "man" Ludwig Prandtl.In 1904, Prandtl was appointed to a position at Göttingen University, where his research career began which gained admiration and recognition throughout the world.As the younger generation may no longer be aware of his achievements, these will be recounted in the following synopsis.Prandtl proposed the boundary layer theory and the airfoil theory, he had ground-breaking ideas regarding the flow of compressible media and the motion of turbulent fluids, and he applied flow physics to meteorology.But, I should also mention his contributions to the problems of elasticity, plasticity and rheology at this point.He established two important research institutes in Göttingen: in 1907 the Aerodynamische Versuchsveranstalt (initially named the Modellversuchsanstalt) and, in 1925, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Strömungsforschung.In the latter institute, freed from the constraints of external demands, he was able to carry out intensive basic research.He was particularly successful in linking theory and experiment: in addition to the theories referred to above (both bear his name), he developed wind tunnels and measurement equipment for his experiments (e.g. the Prandtl tube and the Prandtl manometer) and so proved himself to be an all-embracing scholar.Eighty-three dissertations were written under his supervision as a university lecturer.He belonged to the active cofounders of two wellrespected societies, the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Luftfahrt (now called the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft-und Raumfahrt) and the Gesellschaft für Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik (GAMM), founded in 1922, whose president he was from the year of the society´s founding until 1945.Ludwig Prandtl was showered with honours and awards.Amongst his honorary doctorates were those awarded by the TH Danzig, TH Zurich, TH Prag, TH Trondheim, University of Cambridge (England), University of Bucharest, and the University of Istanbul.Some twenty academies or other scientific institutions made him a member or honorary member.Moreover, a large number of medals and other awards were presented to him, most recently the Großes Verdienstkreuz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.At the end of 1946, Prandtl resigned from being the director of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Strömungsforschung and he became an emeritus of the university.In 1953, he died at the age of 78 years.He left behind a fulfilled working life and one that was rich in honours.
DOI: 10.17875/gup2014-769
Author: Johanna Vogel-Prandtl
Language: German
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2145293121