History of the Chair
1868
The Polytechnical School (later Technische Universitaet) in Munich is founded by King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The subject of Hydraulic Engineering is taught by Professor Wilhelm Frauenholz, who also lectures on Construction Theory. Special lectures on the Theoretical Basis of Hydraulic Engineering are given by Privatdozent (Lecturer) Otto Decher from 1876-81 and by Privatdozent Albert Frank from 1881-93.
1883
Encouraged by Frauenholz Decher and Frank established an experimental setup for the calibration purposes of hydrotechnical instruments in a public bath in Munich.
1889
Franz Kreuter is offered the chair Hydraulic Engineering and Structural Design as successor to Professor Frauenholz. He is also awarded two honorary doctorates. Kreuter is responsible for the entire field of water sciences until 1917.
1917
Kaspar Dantscher becomes Professor of Hydraulic Engineering. In 1928 he is awarded the degree Dr.-Ing. h.c. He initiates the planning of a hydraulic laboratory for civil engineers. Dantscher holds the professorship for Hydraulic Engineering until his death in 1944.
1925
The construction of the so-called Bestelmeyer-Building including a hydraulics laboratory in the basement begins. Although the building is completed in 1927 the laboratory does not go into operation until 1930.
1930
The lectures in Hydraulics are temporarily held by Privatdozent Dr.-Ing. Otto Streck.
1937
Dr.-Ing. Otto Streck is offered the newly founded chair of Hydraulic Engineering II which covers the fields Hydraulics, Hydrology and Water Resources Research. At the same time he becomes head of the laboratory and of the Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering. In 1945 Streck is suspended from office.
1946
Dr.-Ing. Karl Flierl succeeds Professor Dantscher who died in 1944 during an air raid. He also lectures in Hydraulics and is in charge of the laboratory.
1955
Dr.-Ing. Fritz Hartung follows Professor Flierl. Privatdozent Dr.-Ing. Paul-Gerhard Franke lectures in the fields of Hydraulics and Hydrology.
1960
Dr.-Ing. Paul-Gerhard Franke is offered the newly created chair of Hydraulics and Hydrology. He is entitled to utilise the laboratory's facilities together with the other institutions.
1964
The laboratory is renamed Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology and is incorporated into the chair of the same name. Advanced studies are introduced for students of Civil Engineering and a master thesis is made compulsory. One of the special courses is on Hydraulics and Hydrology.
1967
The Institute´s size is enlarged by a neighbouring site to its current area of approximately 1000 m2 .
1974
Chairs and Laboratories of Hydraulics and Hydrology and of Sanitary Engineering are combined to form the Institute of Civil Engineering V. In the same year a special research programme (Flow in Conduits) chaired by Professor Dr.-Ing. Franke is launched in which various university and governmental institutions take part. The programme terminates in 1987. The chair of Hydraulics and Hydrology is responsible for five subprojects.
1978
Further space is added to the laboratory which is used as workshops, storage rooms and a staff recreation area.
1987
Professor Dr.-Ing. Franz Valentin follows Professor Dr.-Ing. Franke as Head of the Institute.
1993
Chairs and Laboratories of Hydraulics and Hydrology, of Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resources Research and of Sanitary Engineering form the new Institute of Water Sciences.
1998
The Chair is renamed as Lehrstuhl und Laboratorium fuer Hydraulik und Gewaesserkunde.
2004
In the course of structural reforms at the Technical University of Munich the chair changes its name from "Lehrstuhl und Laboratorium für Hydraulik und Gewässerkunde" to "Fachgebiet Hydromechanik mit angeschlossenem Laboratorium". Successor of the Ordinarius Professor Valentin as new head of the chair is Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael Manhart.