Unterteiler The history of the DGE


Unterteiler The history of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Elektronenmikroskopie

The history of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Elektronenmikroskopie e.V. starts with the technical development of the electron microscope in Germany. The pioneers of the development of electron microscopy were involved in the formation of the DGE.
In the years following after World War II three centers for electron microscopy formed in the Federal Republic of Germany:
In Berlin the group of Prof. Ernst Ruska (Siemens), in Mosbach/Baden the group of Prof. Brüche (Süddeutsche Laboratorien, associated to AEG), and in Düsseldorf the Gesellschaft für Übermikroskopie e.V. around Prof. Bodo von Borries.

Unterteiler The Formation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Elektronenmikroskopie e.V.

Prof. Brüche planned a conference on electron microscopy in April 1949 in Mosbach. He hoped for support to form a German society for electron microscopy. Prof. Bodo von Borries organized the first meeting on Feb. 16, 1949, and succeeded in the formation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Elektronenmikroskopie (DGE) in Düsseldorf.

The long list of conferences on electron microscopy that took place since then is collected here.

Picture of the Attendants of the Formation of the DGE

The first committee of the DGE had the following members:
 
President:
Ernst Ruska
Vice-president:
Hans Mahl
Committee member:
Fritz Jung
Committee member:
Walter Kikuth
Committee member:
Otto Scherzer
Secretary:
Bodo von Borries

It was decided that the conference planned by Prof. Brüche to be held on April 23-24, 1949, in Mosbach should be the first meeting of the DGE.

Unterteiler Scientific Contributions and Work Groups

The (up to today) continuing developments and growth of the field of electron microscopy resulted in further applications of the technique. To satisfy the needs arising from this specialized work groups were organized. The work group Mikrosonden (micro probes) was established in 1967, the work group EDO (direct electronic imaging of surfaces) in 1969, 1987 the work group KRYO, and in 1989 the work group Tunnelmikroskopie (tunneling microscopy).
Currently the DGE has the following Work groups (Link).

Unterteiler Honorary Members

The DGE awards members which exceptionally contributed to electron microscopy as well as to the DGE as honorary members. The honorary members of the DGE are listed here (Link).

Unterteiler Historic Devices

Today the DGE has about 600 members.

Since Jan. 30, 1998, the DGE is also present in the internet to offer a fast possibility to present current informations to the members and the public.

Information about how to become a member of the society: Membership (Link).

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