Ludwig Prandtl - A Life for Fluid Mechanics and Aeronautical Research

This is a comprehensive biography of Ludwig Prandtl (1875-1953), the father of modern aerodynamics. His name is associated most famously with the boundary layer concept, but also with several other topics in 20th century fluid mechanics, particularly turbulence (Prandtl's mixing length). Among his disciples are pioneers of modern fluid mechanics such as Heinrich Blasius, Theodore von Kármán and Walter Tollmien. Furthermore, Prandtl founded the Aerodynamische Versuchsanstalt (AVA) and the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Strömungsforschung in Göttingen, both of them seeds for the growth of fluid mechanics in Germany. Yet Prandtl was also a representative of aeronautical research - from Imperial Germany via the Weimar Republic to the "Third Reich". Although not a party member, he assumed the role of a goodwill ambassador for Nazi Germany. This objective treatment of his career will be of interest to all scientists and historians wanting to learn more about Prandtl's influence and the earlydevelopment of fluid- and aerodynamics.

List of contents

Preface.- Childhood, Youth and Studies.- A Professor with Industrial Experience.- A New Start in Göttingen.- The First World War.- A New Mission in Life.- Experts.- "Prof. Prandtl Is Totally Uninterested in Politics ...".- The Second World War.- The Final Years.- Prandtl's Legacy.- References and Further Reading.- Name and Subject Index.

About the author

Michael Eckert, born 1949, graduated in physics and has subsequently devoted himself to the history of science and technology, as a member of the Deutsche Museum's Research Institute in Munich. He has published numerous articles and books, mainly about the history of modern physics. His special fields of interest include the history of atomic and quantum physics, and also the evolution of fluid mechanics.

Product details

• Authors: Michael Eckert
• Assisted by: David Tigwell (Translation)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Original title: Ludwig Prandtl - Strömungsforscher und Wissenschaftsmanager
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 06.03.2019
• EAN: 9783030056629
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3005662-9
• No. of pages: 360
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 250 mm x 27 mm
• Weight: 708 g
• Illustrations: XVI, 360 p. 52 illus., 5 illus. in color.
• Series: Springer Biographies
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Mechanics, acoustics; Mitteleuropa, Europäische Geschichte, B, European History, Maschinenbau: Strömungsmechanik, History of Science, Physics, Central Europe, Classical and Continuum Physics, Physics and Astronomy, Fluid mechanics, Fluid- and Aerodynamics, Fluids, Philosophical Foundations of Physics and Astronomy, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics, Engineering Fluid Dynamics, Mechanics of fluids, Europe, Central—History, History of Germany and Central Europe