Anton Lampa: The man who brought Einstein to Prague: 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.
Anton Lampa – Albert Einstein – German university in Prague – theory
of relativity – Ernst Mach – Czech-German conflict – public education
ISSN 0300-4414 (print)
ISSN 2788-3485 (online)
founded 1968
Published by Society for the History of Sciences and Technology http://www.sdvt.cz
Pavel Mervart Publishing http://www.pavelmervart.cz/
