Walter Mayer (physicist)

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Walter Mayer (1948)

Walter Mayer (born March 18, 1926 in Falkenstein / Taunus ; † January 23, 2015 in Zirndorf ) was a German physicist .

Mayer became known as a radio and television pioneer. He worked for Grundig from 1951 to 1991 , where he mainly developed television and video technology equipment . He built the first southern German television station , developed video cameras and video recorders as well as the first Grundig video cassette recorder based on the VCR system . In 1977 he received the Silver Rudolf Diesel Medal for his inventions and his 52 patents , and in 2008 he was made an honorary member of the Friends' Association for his commitment to the Rundfunkmuseum Fürth .

Live and act

Childhood and youth

Birthplace and parental home in Falkenstein / Taunus in 1930
Experimental setup Mayers for television broadcasts in 1951, left the film scanner with a Mechau projector, immediately to the right of the test imager
Mayer when comparing the first southern German television station
Experimental television set-up by Mayer in 1952: left Supericonoskop , right control unit with slide scanner

Mayer grew up in his birth and parents' house at Cronbergerweg 3/5 in Falkenstein / Taunus . Since the father, Agriculture Councilor Wilhelm Mayer, died in 1935, the mother Luise Mayer (née Feger) had to sell the substantial property in Falkenstein and the surrounding area in order to keep the house and enable the two sons to get an education. After four years at the Oberrealschule in Kronberg im Taunus , Walter Mayer entered the Goethe Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main in 1940 .

Military service

In February 1943, almost all of the pupils in the 7th grade at Goethe Gymnasium were drafted into the Air Force . Mayer's class was used in a heavy flak battery near Frankfurt-Schwanheim . While doing military service, Mayer volunteered for a special course in high-frequency technology beginning in October 1943 at the Daaden military training area in the Stegskopf camp . In the course, u. a. also Alfred Fettweis , Wolf Häfele and Herbert Daniel part. Since school lessons were continued both at the Flak gun emplacement as well as in Daaden, Mayer received in May 1944 a leaving certificate or “ Notabitur ” legitimized by the Goethe-Gymnasium Frankfurt with the award of the university entrance qualification . After the special course he was deployed in November 1944 in Plaggenburg near Aurich with a radio jammer on a so-called "anti-boomerang jammer" that tried to disrupt the British radio beacon for bombers in the VHF and 10 GHz range. In December it was moved to the Bönninghardt military airfield near Xanten , where the radar systems were also serviced by night fighters, later to Aldekerk and from the end of December to January 1945 as part of the Ardennes offensive to Moers . Due to the documented participation in the shooting down of "a four-engine enemy aircraft", he was probably briefly deployed as a radio measurement observer in a Messerschmitt Bf 110 night fighter or similar. At the end of January 1945 he took part in a high-frequency technology training course in Halle . When Allied troops approached, the participants were briefly assigned to the infantry. From April 8, 1945, the unit first marched from Wiehe to Beichlingen and back. In the forest between Roßleben and Wendelstein , the troops kept under cover when superior US armored units advanced, and then disbanded. Mayer and a comrade were able to make their way over 350 kilometers to Falkenstein in 14 days. There, with the help of the local community, he posed as a non-war participant and thus avoided being a prisoner of war .

education

Since the leaving certificate from May 1944 after the war was not recognized by the universities as a fully valid Abitur, despite a note to the contrary, and the Goethe-Gymnasium in Frankfurt had been destroyed, Mayer attended a course at the “Realgymnasium für Jungs” in Königstein / Taunus to recognize the university entrance qualification , which he graduated in June 1946. In September 1946 he began studying physics at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main , which he graduated with a diploma in December 1950 (topic of the diploma thesis: The spectral decomposition of frequency-modulated vibrations and their measurement technology ). He then applied to various radio manufacturers.

Establishment of the first southern German television station

On March 1, 1951, he started at Grundig-Radio-Werke GmbH in Fürth . There he initially worked in the development area of television sets and played a key role in setting up the first television station in southern Germany . Both the transmitter and the antenna were located in or on top of today's Fürth Radio Museum (at that time still combined management, laboratory and residential building). The broadcaster simplified the development of the Grundig televisions considerably. Before commissioning, the prototypes had to be brought to Hamburg and tested there in a hotel room. Only in the Hanseatic city has there been an experimental program since November 27, 1950, which was broadcast three days a week and which was the forerunner of Germany's first public television program .

On June 28, 1951, the press was able to demonstrate the sending of test images; on September 27, 1951, on the occasion of a local “performance and trade show”, it was first broadcast publicly, which the press described as a “television 'premiere' in Fürth” has been. The transmitter on the tower of today's Rundfunkmuseum Fürth with an output of 40 watts regularly broadcast the film Grock by the then famous clown Grock for two weeks to the exhibition tent on the Humbser Playground, about 600 meters away as the crow flies, where the corresponding televisions were placed as receivers and presented to the audience were. Since the regular broadcasts were announced in the press, as opposed to test broadcasts, the first south German television station built by Mayer and two other technicians also broadcast the first regular south German television program; this was possibly the first post-war German television program. The broadcaster broadcast the film every day at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. In 1952, the transmission power was increased to such an extent that the broadcast could be received within a radius of 10 kilometers and thus almost in the entire city of Nuremberg / Fürth.

The Grundig distance eye

Walter Mayer presented the Grundig Fernauge at the Düsseldorf radio exhibition in 1953

Up until the 1953 Düsseldorf radio exhibition , Mayer had developed a sensationally small and handy Vidicon television camera weighing only three kilograms under the name "Grundig-Fernauge", which he then presented there. "Fernauge" was a registered trademark of Grundig.

In 1954 he attended the Pennsylvania State College in the USA for Grundig to learn about the American TV development in the field of color television . In 1955 he was appointed laboratory manager of the development group for industrial applications . Since 1964 he has designed professional video recorders based on the GPR standard. In 1962 he became an authorized signatory.

Walter Mayer and Max Grundig in September 1970

Development of the VCR video recorder

In the following years, Mayer developed several video recorders and video cameras, mostly for professional applications. From 1969 to 1971 he led the development of the first Grundig video recorder for video cassettes , the "VR 2000 Color" based on the VCR system . The video system VHS of the Japanese companies, which was inferior in terms of playback quality , made the race in the format war . However, due to the preliminary work on the technically more complex VCR system, Grundig was able to switch production to VHS relatively quickly.

Patent administration and Rudolf Diesel Medal

In October 1975 Mayer took over the development management for industrial television technology and for magnetic video recording . In December 1976 he was appointed department director and at the beginning of 1979 as product manager for professional electronics . In January 1982 he was appointed head of the license / patent department. By 1982 - the time he left active development - he had applied for 52 patents .

Previously, in May 1977, the German Institute for Invention had awarded Walter Mayer the silver Rudolf Diesel Medal for “his diverse and successful inventions in the field of television recording technology and image transmission”.

Voluntary work in nature conservation and in the Fürth Broadcasting Museum

On March 1, 1991, Mayer left Grundig after exactly 40 years. In the magazine Grundig Report No. 2/1991 he was described as "one of the pioneers in television and radio development". After retiring, he initially looked for new tasks outside of his professional area and was first district chairman from 1991 to 1995 and then until 1997 deputy chairman of the Fürth-Land district group of the Federal Nature Conservation Association in Bavaria .

Walter Mayer on his 80th birthday in 2006

From 1995 to 2007 he was involved in the Rundfunkmuseum Fürth , developing models and test arrangements, repairing historical devices, designing exhibitions and individual showcases, especially in the field of broadcasting and television technology. In the place of his workplace from 1951 there is now a modeled television workshop in the museum. He played a key role in the report Life Dreams - Max Grundig , which was broadcast on ARD on July 3, 2006, directed by Tom Ockers .

On June 12, 2008 he was awarded honorary membership of the Friends' Association of the Rundfunkmuseum Fürth, which is awarded in limited numbers in accordance with the association's statutes “for outstanding and extraordinary achievements for the Friends”.

Personal

Walter Mayer married the model Adolfine Horn in 1955 and had two children with her, Caroline Peters and Alexander Mayer . In November 2007, Mayer suffered a severe stroke and has been in need of care ever since . He died on January 23, 2015 in Zirndorf , where he had lived since 1965.

Awards

  • 1977: Rudolf Diesel Medal in silver from the German Institute for Invention.
  • 2008: Appointment as an honorary member by the Friends of the Rundfunkmuseum Fürth.

Publications (selection)

Under his own name

  • Why I work for the museum… . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 62 / October 2007, pp. 4–8
  • How television came to Fürth . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 61 / August 2007, pp. 25–26
  • From the Lieben tube to the integrated circuit . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 59 / April 2007, pp. 8–11
  • Paul Nipkow : A Television Pioneer 1860-1940. In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 54 / September 2005, pp. 9-14
  • 120 years of radio history in the museum . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 53 / June 2005, pp. 9-14
  • 120 years of radio history in the museum . In: Altstadtbläddla, issue 39. Fürth 2004.
  • From the Nipkow disc to the flat screen . In: Kleeblatt radio, issue 51 / October 2004, pp. 14-18.
  • Hans Schottky . In: Kleeblatt radio, issue 49 / April 2003, pp. 12-17.
  • Telefunken radar technology during World War II . In: kleeblatt radio, issue 48 / January 2004. pp. 11–15.
  • From the “Radio City” to the Uferstadt . In: Altstadtbläddla, issue 38. Fürth 2003.
  • The Fürther Rundfunkmuseum - in future in the old town . In: Altstadtbläddla, issue 37. Fürth 2002.
  • How television came to Fürth . In: kleeblatt radio. Issue 27 / October 1998, pp. 28–34.
  • Ways to Better TV Pictures . In: Fernseh- und Kinotechnik , April 1988, Issue 4, volume 42, pp. 153-155.
  • Video technology and its application in hospitals . In: "Das Krankenhaus", issue 5/1979.
  • The flat TV screen is still a long time coming . In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of July 19, 1977
  • Disassembly standards and recording technology in professional television . In: Fernseh- und Kinotechnik , April 1975, 29th vol. No. 4/1975, pp. 93-96.
  • Video-frequency transmission on symmetrical telecommunication lines . In: Nachrichtenentechnische Zeitschrift (NTZ) , issue 10/77.
  • Magnetic video recording of color television signals using the LIR method . In: TV and Cinema Technology, February 1973, Volume 27, No. 2/1973. Pp. 38-41.
  • "VR 2000 Color" - A video cassette recorder based on the VCR system . In: Funkechnik September 1971, No. 17 (special issue Internationale Funkausstellung 1971 Berlin), pp. 628–631.
  • Electronic editing of magnetic video recordings using the helical scan method . In: TV and Cinema Technology, August 1971, Volume 25 No. 8/1971. Pp. 279-285.
  • Grundig video recorder BK 200 . In: Grundig Technical Information 3/1970, pp. 799–804.
  • Photo tape recorder BK 100. A device for magnetic image recording . In: Funkschau 1965, Issue 9, pp. 663–665.
  • Grundig Fernauge FA 41. The new fully transistorized compact television camera . In: Grundig Technical Information 4/1964 (also special print).
  • Automatic production control using methods of television technology . In: Electronic Rundschau No. 11/1960, p. 490.
  • Industrial television systems . In: frequency. Journal for vibration and low-voltage technology. Vol. 12 / No. February 2, 1958. pp. 45-49.
  • Miniature television camera . In: Funkschau issue 14/1956, p. 584.
  • Construction of industrial television system . In: Electronic Rundschau, Volume 10/1956, Issue 5, pp. 129–132 (also special print)
  • Industrial television . In: Elektro-Technik No. 17/18, April 28, 1956, pp. 161-163.

Collaboration / templates

  • Grundig accepts the Japanese challenge . In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of October 25, 1977.
  • Operating instructions Grundig Fernauge FA 41 , edition February 1965.
  • EF Spiegel: Equipment for industrial television. In: Uebersee Post, No. 23/1956 (also special edition).
  • Ch. Rose: The "distant eye" in the service of the police . In: Elektro-Welt from October 31, 1956.
  • EF Spiegel: The structure of industrial television systems and their application . In: Technische Mitteilungen, Vol. 48, Issue 4, April 1955, pp. 128-133.
  • EF Spiegel: Commercial and Industrial Television . In: Journal of the Association of German Engineers Vol. 96 (1954) No. 27, pp. 924–926.
  • EF Spiegel: Das Fernauge - a television recording system for commercial and industrial purposes . In: Radio mentor, No. 6, June 1954 (also special edition).

literature

  • Geert Herold, Horst Münzel: Obituary for Walter Mayer . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 88 / April 2015, pp. 30–31.
  • Fürther Nachrichten : Broadcasting pioneer died at the age of 88 . In: Fürther Nachrichten of January 24, 2015, p. 34.
  • Alexander Mayer : Grundig and the economic miracle. Work worlds series, Erfurt 2008, ISBN 978-3-86680-305-3 .
  • Thanks to "Fernaugen-Mayer". Rundfunkmuseum makes television pioneer an honorary member . In: Fürther Nachrichten of June 24, 2008, p. 5.
  • Alexander Mayer: Vita Walter Mayer - honorary member of the friends' association . In: radio and television. Magazine of the Rundfunkmuseum der Stadt Fürth. Issue 65 / May 7, 2008, pp. 38–41.
  • Alexander Jungkunz: When television history started in Fürth . In: Fürther Nachrichten of June 23, 2007, p. 8.
  • Claudia Bidner-Wunder: Glorious old times . In: Fürther Nachrichten of June 16, 2007, p. 8.
  • Karl Lang: Fifty Years of Television in Bavaria - a participant reported: . In: kleeblatt radio, issue 40 / January 2002, pp. 18-19.
  • Christel Bronnenmeyer: Max Grundig. Made in Germany. Ullstein Verlag, Berlin 1999, ISBN 978-3-54835-877-2 .
  • Friedrich Janssen, Hans-Joachim Menzel, Karl Neumann: We bridge head. The radio measuring units Prinz Eugen - Tegetthoff 1943 - 1945 . Self-published by Hans-Joachim Menzel, Murr 1989.

Web links

Commons : Walter Mayer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

- chronologically descending -

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Corresponding naming of the Falkensteiner street Mayer Gardens .
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Alexander Mayer: Half a life for Grundig . Fürth 2008; Gert Redlich: Walter Mayer . Wiesbaden 2008.
  3. ^ Friedrich Janssen, Hans-Joachim Menzel, Karl Neumann: Wir Stegskopfer. The radio measuring units Prinz Eugen - Tegetthoff 1943 - 1945 . Self-published by Hans-Joachim Menzel, Murr 1989. pp. 11 ff., 285, 331 f.
  4. ↑ Alexander Mayer: Grundig and the economic miracle. Work worlds series, Erfurt 2008, ISBN 978-3-86680-305-3 , p. 40 f.
  5. ↑ Grundig industrial television station . In: Funkschau 1951 / Heft 6 (March 1951), p. 116.
  6. ↑ Alexander Mayer: Grundig and the economic miracle. Working worlds series, Erfurt 2008, ISBN 978-3-86680-305-3 , p. 46 ff.
  7. ↑ Fürther Nachrichten of June 30, 1951, No. 99, p. 1: TV demonstration in Nuremberg-Fürth ; Fränkische Zeitung of June 30, 1951, p. 11: First television attempt in Nuremberg-Fürth .
  8. ^ Christel Bronnenmeyer: Max Grundig. Made in Germany. Ullstein Verlag, Berlin 1999, ISBN 978-3-54835-877-2 , p. 50.
  9. ↑ Nürnberger Nachrichten of September 28, 1951, No. 150, p. 1: That was the start of television in southern Germany: Yesterday, “Grundig” presented transmitters and receivers to the astonished press in Fürth for the first time ; P. 3 f .: "Television premiere in Fürth".
  10. ↑ Fürther Nachrichten of September 28, 1951, No. 150, p. 3: Festive 'premiere' of television in Fürth .
  11. ↑ Nordbayerische Zeitung of September 28, 1951, No. 155, p. 4: 1st Bavarian television test broadcast in Fürth .
  12. ^ Christel Bronnenmeyer: Max Grundig. Made in Germany. Ullstein Verlag, Berlin 1999, ISBN 978-3-54835-877-2 , p. 51.
  13. ↑ Alexander Mayer: Grundig and the economic miracle. Working worlds series, Erfurt 2008, ISBN 978-3-86680-305-3 , p. 47.
  14. ↑ Alexander Mayer: Half a life for Grundig . Fuerth 2008.
  15. ↑ Alexander Mayer: Grundig and the economic miracle. Working worlds series, Erfurt 2008, ISBN 978-3-86680-305-3 , p. 47.
  16. ^ Gert Redlich: Walter Mayer . Wiesbaden 2008.
  17. ↑ Funk-Technik No. 24/1953.
  18. ^ 2 Germans at University's Seminar Study . In: Center Daily Times - State College, July 2, 1954, p. 6.
  19. ^ Walter Mayer: "VR 2000 Color" - A video cassette recorder based on the VCR system . In: Funkechnik September 1971, No. 17 (special issue Internationale Funkausstellung 1971 Berlin), pp. 628–631.
  20. ^ Friedrich Sambs: The VHS story . On: Magnetbandmuseum.info, 2012.
  21. ^ Friedrich Sambs: The VCR story . On: Magnetbandmuseum.info, 2009.
  22. ↑ Gudrun twenty-lead foot: Walter Mayer . In: Nature & Environment in the District . Communications from the Fürth-Land district group. Edition 2/2015 , p. 7.
  23. ↑ Provobis : lifelong dreams - Max Grundig ( Memento of 7 April 2016 Internet Archive ) On: pro-vobis.de.
  24. ↑ Dreams of Life - Max Grundig (D: Tom Ockers, DEU 2006) on YouTube : Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 .
  25. ↑ Obituary notice on nn-online , accessed on March 19, 2016.
  26. ↑ Fürther Nachrichten: Broadcasting pioneer died at the age of 88 . In: Fürther Nachrichten of January 24, 2015, p. 34.

Remarks

  1. ↑ Today: Kronberger Strasse.
This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on March 29, 2016 .
personal data
SURNAME Mayer, Walter
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German physicist and television pioneer
DATE OF BIRTH March 18, 1926
PLACE OF BIRTH Falkenstein / Taunus
DATE OF DEATH 23rd January 2015
Place of death Zirndorf