Andreas Kleinert:
Anton Lampa: The man who brought Einstein to Prague

Abstract

Lampa had studied physics in Vienna and became full professor of physics at the German university of Prague in 1909. He was a pioneer in producing and measuring short electromagnetic waves. Strongly influenced by Ernst Mach, he considered Einstein’s theory of special relativity as a triumph of Mach’s philosophy. Therefore, he supported Einstein as a candidate for the chair of theoretical physics at his university. In the conflict between Czechs and Germans, he openly supported the ambitions of the German-speaking minority in Bohemia. In 1919, he returned to Vienna where he served as a promotor of adult education and public librarianship.

Language: english

Keywords: Anton Lampa – Albert Einstein – German university in Prague – theory of relativity – Ernst Mach – Czech-German conflict – public education