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Last Updated:
2024-04-23 11:05:45

Werner Heisenberg

German theoretical physicist and quantum mechanics pioneer
German theoretical physicist and quantum mechanics pioneer

Werner Heisenberg was a key figure in quantum mechanics, known for the uncertainty principle. He also contributed to various other scientific fields and played a role in the Nazi nuclear weapons program during World War II. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932.

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1899-05
Marriage of August Heisenberg and Anna Wecklein

August Heisenberg, father of Werner Heisenberg, married Anna Wecklein in May 1899. August was a school teacher who later became a Privatdozent at the University of Würzburg.

1900-03
Birth of Erwin Heisenberg

Erwin Heisenberg, the older brother of Werner Heisenberg, was born in March 1900. He was nearly two years older than Werner.

1901-01-01
Werner Heisenberg

Werner Heisenberg lived from 1901 to 1976.

1901-12-05
Werner Heisenberg born

Werner Heisenberg, the German physicist known for his contributions to quantum mechanics, was born on December 5, 1901.

1906-09
Werner Heisenberg enrolls in primary school in Würzburg

In September 1906, shortly before his fifth birthday, Werner Heisenberg started attending a primary school in Würzburg. He spent three years at this school before his family moved to Munich in 1909.

1910-06
Werner Heisenberg moves to Munich and attends Elisabethenschule

In June 1910, Werner Heisenberg and his family moved to Munich where he attended the Elisabethenschule. He spent only one year at this school before entering the Maximilians Gymnasium in Munich.

1911-09
Heisenberg begins study at Max-Gymnasium

Heisenberg commences a nine-year course of study at Max-Gymnasium in Munich under the principalship of his grandfather.

1917
Werner Heisenberg tutors a family friend in calculus

In 1917, due to his exceptional mathematical abilities, Werner Heisenberg tutored a family friend who was studying at university in calculus. His mathematical skills were highly regarded.

1918-08
Participates in Bavarian agricultural service

Heisenberg takes part in the Bavarian agricultural service in August and September 1918.

1919-05
Supports troops after Bavarian Soviet Republic suppression

Heisenberg provides support to the troops following the suppression of the Bavarian Soviet Republic in May and June 1919.

1920-10
Heisenberg begins studying theoretical physics under Sommerfeld

In October 1920, Heisenberg started studying theoretical physics under Sommerfeld at Munich University. Initially cautious, he focused on mathematics classes but eventually gained confidence in theoretical physics and began taking all of Sommerfeld's courses.

1921-12-17
Submits First Paper for Publication

On December 17, 1921, Heisenberg submitted his first paper for publication.

1922-06
Heisenberg meets Bohr at Bohr Festival

In June 1922, Sommerfeld took Heisenberg to Göttingen to attend the Bohr Festival where Niels Bohr gave lectures on quantum atomic physics. Heisenberg met Bohr for the first time at this event, which had a lasting impact on him.

1923-07
Completes Doctorate Requirements

In July 1923, Heisenberg completed the requirements for his doctorate.

1923-08
Heisenberg organizes Scout trip to Finland

In August 1923, Heisenberg, along with Robert Honsell, organized a trip to Finland with a Scout group from Munich. This trip was part of the activities of the Neupfadfinder, a German Scout association, of which Heisenberg was a member and Scoutleader.

1924-06-07
Meets Einstein for the First Time

On June 7, 1924, Heisenberg met Einstein for the first time.

1924-06-28
Delivers Successful Lecture for Habilitation

On June 28, 1924, Heisenberg delivered a successful lecture for his habilitation, granting him the right to teach.

1924-07-28
Heisenberg delivers habilitation lecture in Göttingen

On 28 July 1924, Heisenberg delivered his habilitation lecture in Göttingen, qualifying to teach in German universities.

1924-09-17
Heisenberg researches with Niels Bohr in Copenhagen

From 17 September 1924 to 1 May 1925, Heisenberg conducted research with Niels Bohr in Copenhagen under a fellowship. This collaboration played a crucial role in the development of quantum mechanics and laid the groundwork for Heisenberg's future contributions.

1925-06-29
Heisenberg's Breakthrough Paper on Quantum Mechanics

In June 1925, Heisenberg's paper, which provided a breakthrough to quantum mechanics, was received and published in 'Zeitschrift für Physik'. This paper laid the foundation for the development of quantum theory.

1926-05-01
Appointment as Lecturer in Bohr's Institute

On May 1, 1926, Heisenberg began his appointment as a Lecturer in Niels Bohr's institute. This marked a significant step in Heisenberg's career and his collaboration with Bohr.

1927-02-01
Heisenberg appointed Professor at University of Leipzig

In 1927, Werner Heisenberg was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics and head of the physics department at the University of Leipzig. He delivered his inaugural lecture on 1 February 1928.

1927-03-23
Heisenberg's Paper on the Uncertainty Principle

In March 1927, Heisenberg's paper introducing the uncertainty principle was received and published in 'Zeitschrift für Physik'. This principle revolutionized the field of quantum mechanics.

1928
Publication of The Physical Principles of Quantum Theory

In 1928, Werner Heisenberg published The Physical Principles of Quantum Theory, a seminal work that laid the foundation for quantum mechanics and furthered the understanding of atomic structures.

1929-03
Travels to United States, Japan, China, and India

In March to November 1929, Werner Heisenberg embarked on a series of travels to the United States, Japan, China, and India.

1930-11-22
Death of Werner Heisenberg's father

On 22nd November 1930, Werner Heisenberg's father, who was a professor of Byzantine Studies in Munich, passed away.

1932-06-07
Receipt of first paper on the neutron-proton model of nuclei

On 7th June 1932, Werner Heisenberg received recognition for his first paper on the neutron-proton model of nuclei, published in Zs. f. Phys., 77, 1-11.

1933-12-11
Heisenberg receives Nobel Prize for Physics

On 11th December 1933, Werner Heisenberg was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for his groundbreaking contributions in 1932.

1934
Heisenberg presents theory of the positron

In 1934, Werner Heisenberg presented his theory of the positron in a paper titled 'Remarks on Dirac's theory of the positron'. This work contributed to the advancement of quantum field theory.

1935
Candidates to replace Sommerfeld at University of Munich

In 1935, the Munich Faculty compiled a list of potential candidates to take over as the professor of theoretical physics at the University of Munich after Sommerfeld. The three main candidates were Heisenberg, Debye, and Becker, all former students of Sommerfeld.

1936-01-29
Heisenberg and theoretical physics attacked in Nazi party newspaper

On 29th January 1936, Werner Heisenberg and the field of theoretical physics were criticized in a Nazi party newspaper, reflecting the political tensions of the time.

1937-04-29
Marriage to Elisabeth Schumacher

On April 29, 1937, Werner Heisenberg married Elisabeth Schumacher in Berlin.

1937-07-15
Physicists attacked in SS newspaper

On July 15, 1937, Werner Heisenberg and other physicists were viciously attacked in an SS newspaper.

1938-07-21
Resolution of Heisenberg affair by Himmler

In July 1938, Heinrich Himmler settled the controversy surrounding Heisenberg by sending letters to SS Gruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich and Heisenberg. Himmler emphasized the importance of Heisenberg for teaching future scientists and advised Heisenberg to separate professional physics research from personal and political beliefs.

1938-09-26
Joins Fission Research Project in Berlin

In September 26, 1938, Werner Heisenberg joined the fission research project in Berlin.

1939-12-06
Publication of Die Möglichkeit der technischer Energiegewinnung aus der Uranspaltung

Werner Heisenberg's report on the possibility of technical energy production from uranium fission was published on December 6, 1939.

1941-09-15
Visits German-Occupied Copenhagen and Discusses Fission with Bohr

Between September 15-22, 1941, Werner Heisenberg visited German-occupied Copenhagen and had discussions about fission with Niels Bohr.

1942-02-26
Heisenberg presents lecture on energy acquisition from nuclear fission

At a scientific conference in February 1942, Heisenberg presented a lecture to Reichs officials on the theoretical basis for energy generation from uranium fission. He emphasized the need for pure U-235 to achieve a chain reaction and explored methods of obtaining it.

1942-06-04
Heisenberg reports to Albert Speer on nuclear weapons development

On June 4, 1942, Heisenberg met with Albert Speer to discuss the prospects of converting the Uranverein's research towards developing nuclear weapons. He informed Speer that building a bomb would not be feasible before 1945 due to resource constraints.

1942-07-01
Appointed Interim Director of Main Reactor Research Lab in Berlin

On July 1, 1942, Werner Heisenberg was appointed as the interim director of the main reactor research lab in Berlin where he laid plans for the construction of a working reactor.

1942-07-09
Bericht über Unfälle beim Umgang mit Uranmetall G-135

On 9th July 1942, Robert Döpel reported accidents related to handling uranium metal.

1942-07-31
Bemerkungen zu dem geplanten halbtechnischen Versuch mit 1,5 to D2O und 3 to 38-Metall G-161

Werner Heisenberg made remarks regarding the planned semi-technical experiment with 1.5 tons of D2O and 3 tons of 38-Metal on 31st July 1942.

1942-10-30
Messungen an Schichtenanordnungen aus 38-Metall und Paraffin G-162

On 30th October 1942, Werner Heisenberg, Fritz Bopp, Erich Fischer, Carl-Friedrich von Weizsäcker, and Karl Wirtz conducted measurements on layer arrangements made of 38-Metal and paraffin.

1943-05-06
Die Energiegewinnung aus der Atomkernspaltung G-217

On 6th May 1943, Werner Heisenberg discussed energy generation from atomic nucleus fission.

1943-09-08
Receipt of the first part of his theory on the S-matrix in elementary particle physics

On September 8, 1943, he received the first part of his theory on the S-matrix in elementary particle physics, which was published in Zs. f. Phys., 120, 513-538.

1944-01-24
Travels to German-occupied Copenhagen to obtain release of Bohr Institute

From January 24 to February 4, 1944, he traveled to German-occupied Copenhagen to secure the release of the Bohr Institute from occupation authorities, as Niels Bohr had fled.

1945-01-03
Bericht über einen Versuch mit 1.5 to D2O und U und 40 cm Kohlerückstreumantel (B7) G-300

On 3rd January 1945, Fritz Bopp, Walther Bothe, Erich Fischer, Erwin Fünfer, Werner Heisenberg, O. Ritter, and Karl Wirtz reported on an experiment involving 1.5 tons of D2O and U with a 40 cm Kohler backscatter mantle (B7).

1945-05-03
Arrest of Werner Heisenberg by U.S. forces

In May 1945, U.S. forces arrested Werner Heisenberg at his family home in Urfeld, Bavaria.

1946-01-03
Release of Heisenberg and settlement in Göttingen

On 3rd January 1946, Werner Heisenberg was released in Germany and settled in Göttingen.

1947-12
Heisenberg lectures in Britain

In December 1947, Werner Heisenberg delivered lectures in Britain.

1948
Publication on Turbulence Theory

In 1948, Heisenberg published multiple papers on the statistical theory of turbulence and isotropic turbulence, contributing significantly to the understanding of fluid dynamics.

1949-03-09
Heisenberg becomes founding president of the German Research Council

On 9th March 1949, Werner Heisenberg became the founding president of the German Research Council.

1950-02-23
Unified Theory of Elementary Particles Proposal

In 1950, a proposal for a unified theory of elementary particles involving a nonlinear spinor field was put forward.

1951-08
Formation of German Research Association (DFG)

In August 1951, the Research Council merged with the Emergency Association to establish the German Research Association (DFG) with Werner Heisenberg in the Presidium.

1952-03
German Delegation to European Council for Nuclear Research

In March 1952, Werner Heisenberg led the German delegation to the European Council for Nuclear Research, discussing the potential establishment of CERN.

1953-07-01
Signing of CERN Convention

On 1 July 1953, Heisenberg signed the convention that established CERN on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany.

1953-12-10
Appointment as President of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

On December 10, 1953, Konrad Adenauer appointed Heisenberg as the president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

1955
Research on Meson Production in High Energy Collisions

Heisenberg's research in 1955 focused on the production of mesons in very high energy collisions, advancing the understanding of particle interactions at extreme conditions.

1957-04-12
Declaration against Adenauer's acceptance of nuclear weapons

In April 1957, Werner Heisenberg and 17 other West German scientists issued a declaration opposing Chancellor Adenauer's decision to accept tactical nuclear weapons from NATO.

1958-02-27
Unified field theory preprint with Pauli

In February 1958, Werner Heisenberg and Wolfgang Pauli published a preprint proposing a unified field theory of elementary particles, which included the concept of the 'Weltformel' or 'world formula', but later Pauli renounced the idea.

1961
Heisenberg signs the Memorandum of Tübingen

In 1961, Heisenberg signed the Memorandum of Tübingen, participating in a public discussion on nuclear weapons alongside other scientists and politicians.

1962-11-30
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on November 30, 1962.

1963-02-07
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 7, 1963.

1963-02-11
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 11, 1963.

1963-02-13
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 13, 1963.

1963-02-15
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 15, 1963.

1963-02-19
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 19, 1963.

1963-02-22
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 22, 1963.

1963-02-25
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 25, 1963.

1963-02-27
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 27, 1963.

1963-02-28
Oral History Interview with Werner Heisenberg

An oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg took place on February 28, 1963.

1964
Honorary Doctorate from University of Budapest

Heisenberg received an honorary doctorate from the University of Budapest in 1964, recognizing his contributions to the field of physics.

1966
Philosophic Problems of Nuclear Science

A book titled 'Philosophic Problems of Nuclear Science' was published in 1966.

1969
Publication of Heisenberg's autobiography

In his late sixties, Heisenberg penned his autobiography for the mass market. The book was published in Germany in 1969 and later in English and other languages, covering various themes from exact science to science and religion.

1970-12-31
Resignation as director of Max Planck Institute

On December 31, 1970, Werner Heisenberg resigned from his position as the director of the Max Planck Institute.

1971
Physics and beyond : Encounters and conversations

In 1971, a book titled 'Physics and Beyond: Encounters and Conversations' by Werner Heisenberg was published in New York, delving into discussions beyond traditional physics concepts.

1973-03-24
Heisenberg receives the Romano Guardini Prize

On March 24, 1973, Heisenberg gave a speech before the Catholic Academy of Bavaria, accepting the Romano Guardini Prize and discussing the intersection of scientific and religious truths.

1974
The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics: The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics in Historical Perspective

In 1974, the book 'The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics: The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics in Historical Perspective' by M. Jammer was published, exploring the historical context of quantum mechanics interpretations.

1975-10
Resignation as president of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

In October 1975, Werner Heisenberg resigned from the presidency of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

1976-02-01
Death of Werner Heisenberg

Werner Heisenberg died of cancer at his home in Munich on February 1, 1976.

1977
Werner Heisenberg

In 1977, C. F. von Weizsäcker wrote about Werner Heisenberg, shedding light on his life and contributions.

1979
Quantentheorie und Philosophie: Vorlesungen und Aufsätze

A book titled 'Quantentheorie und Philosophie: Vorlesungen und Aufsätze' was published in 1979.

1980
Das politische Leben eines Unpolitischen: Erinnerungen an Werner Heisenberg

A book titled 'The Political Life of an Unpolitical: Memories of Werner Heisenberg' was published in 1980, focusing on the personal and political aspects of Werner Heisenberg's life.

1983
Tradition in Science

A book titled 'Tradition in Science' was published in 1983.

1986
Intellectual Mastery of Nature, 2 Volumes

In 1986, the 2-volume work 'Intellectual Mastery of Nature' by C. Jungnickel and R. McCormmach was published, focusing on the intellectual control over nature.

1988
Physik und Philosophie: Weltperspektiven

A book titled 'Physik und Philosophie: Weltperspektiven' was published in 1988.

1989
Encounters with Einstein: And Other Essays on People, Places, and Particles

A book titled 'Encounters with Einstein: And Other Essays on People, Places, and Particles' was published in 1989.

1990
Heisenberg, Goudsmit and the German atomic bomb

M. Walker's article 'Heisenberg, Goudsmit and the German Atomic Bomb' published in Physics Today in 1990 discusses the involvement of Heisenberg and Goudsmit in the German atomic bomb project.

1992
Deutsche und Jüdische Physik

A book titled 'Deutsche und Jüdische Physik' was published in 1992.

1993
Heisenberg's war : the secret history of the German bomb

Published in London in 1993, 'Heisenberg's War: The Secret History of the German Bomb' by T. Powers uncovers the hidden history of the German bomb during wartime.

1995
What did Heisenberg tell Bohr about the bomb?

J. Bernstein's article 'What did Heisenberg tell Bohr about the bomb?' published in Scientific American in 1995 explores the conversation between Heisenberg and Bohr regarding the atomic bomb.

1999
Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science (Great Minds Series)

A book titled 'Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science (Great Minds Series)' was published in 1999.

2002
Der Teil und das Ganze: Gespräche im Umkreis der Atomphysik

A book titled 'Der Teil und das Ganze: Gespräche im Umkreis der Atomphysik' was published in 2002.

2007
Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science

A book titled 'Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science' was published in 2007.

End of the Timeline
Werner Heisenberg

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Werner Heisenberg

German theoretical physicist and quantum mechanics pioneer
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