Werner Heisenberg and Finland

Authors

• Tuire Ranta-Meyer Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.109430

Abstract

Werner Heisenberg, the 1932 Nobel Prize winner in physics, was one of the key scientist of quantum mechanics, and widely known for the uncertainty principle. He received his doctorate at the age of 21 at Munich in 1923. Directly after that, in august 1923, he travelled to Finland for three weeks. This article examines thoroughly this trip he made with his Gruppe Heisenberg, e.g. a group of nine German boy scouts with him as their leader. The main interest lies on the experiences, impressions and influences Dr Heisenberg gained during these weeks, and especially on the one person, composer Erkki Melartin, whom he learned to hold in high esteem. Light is, however, shed also on his adolescence, ideals and worldview, and the nature of his very talent as important factors behind his ingeniousness.