Victor F. Hess blickt in einen Strahlungsapparat

Victor Franz Hess: Biography

Victor Franz Hess (1883-1964) discovered cosmic rays in 1912. This launched him on a steep career, which also brought the young physicist to the University of Innsbruck. Here Hess founded the world’s first high-altitude laboratory for the study of cosmic radiation. The power grab by the National Socialists put an abrupt end to his research in Austria, and he had to flee to the USA. After the Second World War, belated tributes to his scientific achievements provided repeated opportunities for trips to his former home. Victor Franz Hess paid a last visit to the research station on Hafelekar in 1958.

 

The only surviving tape recording of Victor F. Hess's voice probably dates from 1958. Since the surgical removal of a vocal cord in the mid-1930s, Hess has only been able to speak in a hoarse whisper.

Voice recording Victor F. Hess, presumably 1958, Archive of the University of Innsbruck

Victor Franz Hess (1935)

Victor F. Hess, 1935/36

DateMilestone
24.6.1883Born the son of a forester at Waldstein Castle near Deutschfeistritz in Styria
1901High school graduation with distinction, enrolled at the University of Graz
1906Doctorate sub auspiciis Imperatoris in physics
1906–1910Assistant professor at the 2nd Physical Institute of Vienna University
1908–1920Docent of Medical Physics at the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine
1910Postdoctoral thesis at the 2nd Physical Institute of Vienna University
1910–1920Research at the Vienna Institute for Radium Research
1912Discovery of cosmic rays in a series of ascents in a balloon
1915Voluntary head of the X-ray department of the Swedish Military Hospital in Vienna
1920Associate Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Graz
1921Married Bertha Breisky (1868–1955)
1921–1923Leave of absence from Graz University and position as chief physicist at the U.S. Radium Corporation in Orange, New Jersey, USA
1923Returned to the University of Graz
1931–1937Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Innsbruck
1931Foundation of the research station on Hafelekar
1934Surgical removal of a vocal cord due to a suspected carcinoma
Appointed to the Federal Cultural Council, Science Group, of the Schuschnigg regime
1936Nobel Prize in Physics awarded for the discovery of cosmic rays
1937Chair of the Institute of Physics at the University of Graz
1938Dismissed from the university; emigrated to the USA Professor of Physics at Fordham University, New York
1944US citizenship
1951Developed methods for the diagnosis of radium poisoning
1955Death of his wife Bertha; married Elizabeth M. Hoencke (1905–1973)
1958Last visit to Innsbruck
19.12.1964Death at the age of 81 in Mount Vernon, New York

The Discovery of Cosmic Rays

Victor F. Hess (with young physics colleagues

After studying in Graz, Victor F. Hess moves to Vienna, where he starts work as assistant professor at the 2nd Physical Institute in Türkenstrasse in 1906.

Victor F. Hess (right, back) with young physics colleagues: Georg Hofbauer (left, back), and front row (from the left): Josef Nabl, Franz Aigner, Karl Siegl, Norbert Stücker, 18 March 1907, presumably 2nd Physical Institute, Vienna

Children admire a balloon which Victor F. Hess uses to explore cosmic rays

In an age when science is still an adventure, children admire a balloon which Victor F. Hess uses to explore cosmic rays.

Victor F. Hess (right) and the balloon pilot Captain Wilhelm Hoffory (left) near Vienna, 1911/12

At his desk in the Radium Institute in Vienna, Victor F. Hess evaluates the data from his balloon flights.

At his desk in the Radium Institute in Vienna, Victor F. Hess evaluates the data from his balloon flights and writes the work that is to make him world famous.

Institute for Radium Research, Vienna, 1916

Georg von Hevesy and Victor F. Hess

Georg von Hevesy and Victor F. Hess share a similar fate: during the First World War, they work together in Vienna, but when the National Socialists seize power they are forced into exile. Both later receive the Nobel Prize.

Georg von Hevesy (left), Victor F. Hess (right), presumably in Vienna, 1916

The Nobel Prize Award

Nobel Prize ceremony

Victor F. Hess discovered cosmic rays in 1912. It is not until 24 years later that he is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics by King Gustav V of Sweden.

Nobel Prize ceremony, Stockholm, 10 December 1936

Nobel Prize certificate

The Nobel Prize certificate reads that Victor F. Hess has been awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery (Upptäckten) of Cosmic Rays (Kosmiska Strålningen).

Nobel Prize certificate, 10 December 1936

Flight and Exile

Entry in the visitors’ book by Victor F. Hess

On 9 August 1938, Victor F. Hess rides up to Hafelekar for the last time before the outbreak of war. His entry in the visitors’ book testifies to his sense of uncertainty: “Farewell! For how long?”

Like so many other scientists, he has no choice but to go into exile. He manages to flee to Switzerland on 2 October 1938. From there he travels to the USA.

Entry in the visitors’ book by Victor F. Hess, 9 August 1938, Museum of the Institute for Experimental Physics

Visit the historic observatory on the Hafelekar and learn more about the Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of cosmic rays Victor Franz Hess.

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