Memorial plaque for Erich Lehmann: Honoring a photochemical pioneer

Memorial plaque for Erich Lehmann: Honoring a photochemical pioneer

Carmerstraße 6, 10587 Berlin, Deutschland - On June 12, 2025, a plaque in Berlin will be in honor of Prof. Dr. Erich Lehmann inaugurated. The ceremony takes place at 4 p.m. in front of its former house at Carmerstraße 6 in Charlottenburg. Judith Stückler, the head of the district council of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, will unveil the board. The event is accompanied by members of the Memorial Table Commission, the Kinotechnical Society and representatives of the Marx Collection, which has financed the Tafel. Dr. Stefan Wolff from the German Museum of Munich will also be present and a speech to appreciate Lehmann's life and work. This reports berlin.de

The Erich Lehmann, born in Berlin in 1878, was an important photochemist and professor, whose medical and academic career was strongly influenced by the political circumstances of his time. After completing his training at the Royal Wilhelms-Gymnasium, he studied at the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Berlin. He defended his dissertation in 1901, before working as an assistant at the Photochemical Institute of the Technical University of Berlin from 1902 to 1914. During this time he was involved in significant scientific expeditions and passed on his expertise in photochemistry and optics. According to dpg-physik.de War Lehmann from 1908 to 1938 Member of the German Physical Society.

life's work and scientific importance

Erich Lehmann is considered a leading head in the development of cinema technology and the cinema fire protection. In 1922 he was elected extraordinary professor and in 1925 as chairman of the Kinotechnical Society. His research results found recognition worldwide. The plaque commemorates its place of residence from 1911 until his tragic death. In 1933 Lehmann, son of Jewish parents, lost his professorship due to the National Socialist racial policy and had to resign all offices. During this time he was dependent on the support of his twin sister. According to Wikipedia he also worked on the development of recipes for artificial gemstones and helped to research the UV spectrum of the sun.

Lehmann's life ended tragically on January 11, 1942 when he committed suicide in his apartment at Carmerstraße 6. In the period after his death, his apartment inventory was auctioned, while his sister and son were murdered during the National Socialist persecution. His scientific contributions and unique expertise remain unforgettable in photochemistry, spectroscopy as well as in cinema and reproductive technology and will receive a public monument by the plaque.