On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Solvay invites you to discover its history through twelve thematic pieces.
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Solvay ... over a period of 150 years, this surname has become a brand that has
traveled round the world, assuming varying levels of significance from one place
and time to another.
Chronicle # 10 - The legacy of Ernest Solvay - A tale around a name.
For a historian of science, Solvay evokes prestigious scientific conferences. A
resident of Tuscany is more likely to think of a well-known garden city. A
chemistry student will connect the name with an elegant industrial process; a
student of management with a sought-after degree. For the Alpinist, it will call
up a high mountaineering refuge hut, while a financial investor will associate
it with a blue chip share. Today we propose a multimedia voyage of discovery to
the multiple Solvays on our planet, from the best known to the most unusual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md328UnOBvA&feature=player_embedded
A place name
Solvay is deeply rooted in the different parts of the world that have welcomed
it. By building factories and garden cities, it has shaped the industrial
landscape and dynamized local life. Close to its plants, countless locations are
named after the founding brothers: streets, avenues, and squares, as well as
theaters, cinemas, meeting rooms, swimming pools, sports arenas. In some cases,
like Rosignano-Solvay (Italy), or in the State of New York (United States), an
entire city district has taken the name. You will find these history-laded
places in the video. And alongside them are more recent ones, like the Solvay
headquarters in Shanghai, a symbol of the Group's vitality in fast-growing
countries.
Synonymous with science and human progress
Already as a teenager, Ernest Solvay was passionate about the pure and applied
sciences, physics and chemistry in particular. Paradoxically, his hectic
entrepreneurial career long prevented him from pursuing them, the more so as he
had left school at age 17. But past the age of fifty, and having made his
fortune, he spent lavishly to support scientific research. More than just a
patron, Ernest Solvay was personally involved in the organization of academic
institutions. Helped by the best specialists, he supported the creation of a
science city in the Leopold Park in Brussels, a stone's throw from the current
EU institutions. The Institute of Sociology, now known as the "Solvay Library"
is a reputed institution in the academic world, as is the Solvay Business
School, whose name was recently modernized as "Solvay Brussels School of
Economics & Management". Today, Ernest Solvay's scientific philanthropy is
continued with the "Solvay Prize for Chemistry of the Future" that rewards major
scientific discoveries that could shape tomorrow's chemistry and promote human
progress.
At the limits of the known world and beyond
Perched at the top of the Matterhorn, 4003 meters above sea level, is the
highest mountain hut in the Alps, the Solvayhütte, the founding of which Ernest
Solvay financed in 1915. Of frail constitution, Ernest Solvay suffered several
nervous breakdowns in the 1890s. As a cure his doctor and friend Paul Héger
recommended alpine climbing. Solvay devoted himself vigorously to this sport to
beyond the age of 80.
Far south, in Antarctica there is a Mount Solvay, named in honor of Ernest-John
Solvay (Ernest's grandson), who sponsored of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of
1957-1958 led by Gaston de Gerlache.
Even higher, even further, let's zoom away to the asteroid belt somewhere
between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter: asteroid 7537, discovered in 1996 by
Erik Elst at the La Silla Observatory in Chile, is named after the Belgian
inventor. A galactic tribute Ernest Solvay could hardly have dreamed of!
Let's return to the earth's atmosphere while keeping our heads in the stars ...
As main technology partner of the Solar Impulse, the name Solvay figures
prominently on the extra-light cabin of the solar aircraft piloted by Bertrand
Piccard and André Borschberg.
In creating his company, Ernest Solvay would never have imagined that his name
have been carried so far and wide, but he would probably be very pleased to know
that whatever the meaning ascribed to it, the name Solvay still helps convey the
values of humanism and progress that were dear to him.
Focus
Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the two pilots the Solar Impulse, have
contributed with humor to our film tribute. Note that the links between the
Solvay and Piccard families go back several generations: Bertrand's grandfather,
Auguste Piccard, physicist and explorer of genius (and the inspiration of
Hergé's Professor Calculus) was related to Ernest Solvay, attending several
Solvay Physics Councils along with Einstein, Curie, Planck, Lorentz & co. The
world is indeed a small place!
Next story: Science: Ernest Solvay's 5(th) child
Curious about our 150th anniversary?
Have a look at www.solvay150.com
To read this chronicle in PDF:
http://hugin.info/133981/R/1733546/580454.pdf
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Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Solvay S.A. via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1733546]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 03.10.2013 - 18:12 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 302739
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contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
Business News
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