New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung, October 6, 1893, p. 12

print this page

Hurrah! Helmholtz!- 'Old Columbia' honors the German scholar. -
Professor von Helmholtz gives an excellent lecture about the mental work of scholars. – He becomes familiar with the American telephone system. –

Following his return from the Chicago Fair and following an invitation by Columbia College the famous German scholar Geheimrath [privy counselor] Professor von Helmholtz gave a lecture at the college in the large Library Hall filled with students and scholars.

Present were Prof. Bell, inventor of the telephone, Reese, Greenleaf, Keener, Rood, Parmly and Hollack. College President Seth Low accompanied him to droning applause into the hall. Mr. Low briefly referred to the accomplishments in research on sound [acoustic noise conduction]. Having heard von Helmholtz is coming to NY Mr. Edison rushed from Halifax to meet him. Mr. Edison declared he could never have invented the telephone without Prof. Helmholtz's research into sound. Mr. Low also stated that William Steinway, the famous piano manufacturer, had bestowed upon the Professor one of his best grand pianos and declared, that without Helmholtz' epic discoveries piano manufacturing would have never reached such development and completeness.
Despite his advanced age, the Professor spoke for an hour on the subject of science in general without signs of fatigue and in relatively fluent English. He described the mental work of scholars in Antiquity and the middle ages, who had only laid the foundation for future scientific progress. Only in the last two centuries new fields of study had been found. Laws of nature were incorporated into research. He pointed to the vast knowledge found in scientific works, papers, catalogues and lexical, showing the superiority of man over animal. Earlier studies had considered nature far too sparingly. He admonished the students to expand their book knowledge by opening their eyes to nature and its powers and laws.

At the end of his speech three loud ‘C-o-l-u-m-b-i-a! Helmholtz!’ rang through the hall.
At the invitation of Professor Alexander Bell and Prof. Hermann Knapp Mr. Low accompanied Prof. von Helmhotz to the Telephone Co. Central Station at 18 Cortlandt St. The important element was to make the Professor familiar with the long distance telephone part which connected the office with Boston. Prof. von Helmhotz briefly spoke with the company president Mr. Hudson. He then had an animated telephone conversation with Professor Langler about the Smithsonian Institution and their scholars and discoveries. He also spoke to the administration at the World Fair by telephone. At the end Prof. von Helmholtz declared he understood every one loud and clear and was impressed by the sound over thousands of miles and by the progress of the telephone in America.

[hhv]