Exhibition Presents Groundbreaking Inventions From Germany
Jakarta. It was in 1860 when a German high school physics teacher produced an electromagnetic device through which he was able to transmit speech and musical notes. When Johann Philipp Reis presented his invention to fellow scientists, he was reportedly laughed at, as they thought the device was nothing but a useless toy. In the end, however, it was Reis who had the last laugh, as his “telephone” would soon conquer the world and become a necessity in many households.
The telephone is one of many groundbreaking inventions that have sprung from the minds of German scientists: letterpress and computers, automobile and chip card, jet engines and the MP3 format – the list is long.
A new exhibition titled “Germany, Land of Inventions” pays tribute to these inventions that range from high tech to the more mundane, many of which have become an important part of modern life. More than 30 000 patents for new inventions come from Germany each year, putting the country at number three worldwide for innovation, following behind only the United States and Japan. China comes in fourth.
The exhibition, which officially opened at the German International School in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, was initiated by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Society and Max Planck Society.
“To be able to present Germany as a land of inventions and innovations here in Indonesia is an important task of the Embassy,” said Dr. Georg Witschel, the German ambassador to Indonesia. “The collaboration between Indonesia and Germany in the field of science has been very successful in recent years, specifically in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology – which are the same fields where many new inventions are born, in Germany, but also worldwide.”
The main focus of this exhibition is to present historical discoveries and pioneering innovations in the fields of computer science, energy, communication, mobility, medicine, optics and materials.
Although targeted at a younger audience, the interactive component of “Germany, Land of Inventions” makes sure that not only the kids have fun by pushing buttons and menus and learn more about German inventions.
In addition to showcasing Germany’s best inventions, the exhibition also aims to provide more information about the country as a potential location to study and conduct research.
“I was not the best student, especially when it came to math, physics and chemistry,” Witschel acknowledged in his speech. “I actually regret this now, because at the time, I didn’t quite understand how interesting science can be. The exhibition aims to bring science closer to the younger generation, and hopefully many of those who visit will decide to go to Germany to study.”
Felix Winterle, deputy headmaster of the German International School, told the audience the story of theoretical physicist Max Planck, whose quantum theory won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.
“Don’t study physics as almost everything in this field is already discovered – at least that’s what 150 years ago the physics professor Philipp von Jolly told the 16-year-old Max Planck – luckily, Planck didn’t take his advice and began his studies anyway,” Winterle said. “Therefore, we should never believe that we have reached absolute knowledge or already discovered everything there is. There will always be more to study and research about, and that’s why it is essential to stay curious and interested.”
The exhibition will be shown for the first time in Indonesia, before it will travel to Bandung and Surabaya. After Indonesia, it will be shown in other countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America.
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“Germany, Land of Inventions” Through Nov. 27 Deutsche Schule Jakarta Jalan Puspa Widya No. 8 Tangerang, Banten jermanfest.com
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