Naturwissenschaft und Technik in der DDR

This work explores the evolution of science and technology policy in East Germany, detailing the interplay between political ideologies and academic institutions from 1945 to the late 1960s. It examines the impact of the Ulbricht era's reform package and the challenges of maintaining scientific excellence amidst espionage and technology transfer. The text discusses the influence of Stalinist policies on higher education in Eastern Central Europe and the lingering effects of National Socialism on DDR science. Key themes include the transition towards a "socialist research academy," the dynamics of scientific unity versus German division, and the roles of various disciplines. It highlights the experiences of engineers during the Ulbricht era, the complexities of aircraft manufacturing, and the balance between autonomy and state control in genetic and biomedical research. The development of the computer industry and chemistry under socialism is also addressed, alongside advancements in nuclear research. Prominent figures such as physicochemist Robert Havemann and psychologist Kurt Gottschaldt are profiled, revealing their contributions and the constructed continuities from National Socialism to the DDR. The work concludes with a bibliography on the history of mathematics and an index of authors, providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific landscape in East Germany during this transformative period.