372 HERMANN VON HELMHOLTZ 



' 5. Determinations of electrical units of measurement. 



'6. Measurements of pressure and density of gases and 

 vapours at different temperatures, and the measurement of the 

 amount of heat consumed in these processes/ 



He further points out that the foundation of a scientific 

 department ' would also make it possible for the older and accre- 

 dited physicists of Germany to carry out special researches for 

 which the apparatus is not to hand in their own neighbourhood J . 



' It is unworthy of a nation that has acquired by its power 

 and intelligence, and has to maintain, a position in the front rank 

 of civilized peoples, to leave the provision for such fundamental 

 knowledge to other nations, or to the accidental tastes of certain 

 fortunately situated private individuals. Germany has already 

 taken the lead by the institution of University Laboratories for 

 Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology ; these have rapidly grown 

 and multiplied, and have been imitated in all the surrounding 

 countries/ 



When it was seen that the immediate fulfilment of the project 

 was delayed by financial difficulties, and more particularly by 

 the question of finding a suitable site, Werner Siemens made 

 an offer to the Minister of Education of a site in the Marchstrasse 

 in Charlottenburg, one hectare in area, as a gift to the Prussian 

 State. In consequence of certain objections made by the 

 Minister, and in view of the national significance of the plan, 

 as also in the hope of its being carried out on a larger scale 

 and with more complete equipment, Siemens resolved to 

 repeat his offer, as previously made to Prussia, to the whole 

 Empire, on May 20, 1884, in a gift of half a million marks, 

 including the value of the land, for the endowment of an 

 Institute of Scientific Research for Technical Purposes. ' The 

 class-rooms and laboratories in our Universities and Schools, 

 which are set apart for teaching/ said Siemens, ' are not suited 

 for the installation of definite scientific researches, any more than 

 are the professors in charge of them. Besides the leisure for 

 intellectual absorption in their researches, the teachers lack 

 suitable accommodation and means for procuring the right 

 instruments and apparatus. The Institute we wish to found 

 would thus contribute to the elevation and maintenance of the 

 scientific achievements of our nation, and secure for us a post 

 of honour among civilized peoples/ 



