Willy Gehler (1876-1953): pioneering research, political self-mobilization and historical reception of a major civil engineer and university teacher in the century of extremes

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Manfred Curbach; Professor Dr. Thomas Hänseroth
• Subject Area: Architecture, Building and Construction History, Construction Research, Sustainable Building Technology ; Structural Engineering, Building Informatics and Construction Operation
• Term: from 2014 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 257930313

The research in the interdisciplinary research project about Willy Gehler contributes to the profession and the social history of civil engineers in the 20th century. Within the 1st phase of such a project, Willy Gehler was viewed in three different contexts, which will be further investigated in the 2nd Phase as well:- Willy Gehler as a civil engineer,- Gehler’s biography and his political positioning,- Gehler as a persona non grata.The 1st phase of the research project illustrated Gehler’s technical expertise in the field of reinforced and prestressed concrete. It is closely associated with the Experimental and Material Testing Office Dresden which was one of the most important facility of its kind at that time. This institution, under the direction of Gehler from 1918 until 1945, conducted fundamental research about reinforced concrete and deduced new advanced calculation approaches. According to further indications, Dresden can be considered as a nucleus of the exploration of prestressed concrete, especially of prestressed wire concrete. Within the research in phase 1, the reasons for Gehler’s appointment to this influential position were investigated, numerous other research projects were determined as well, which were unknown before the project was launched and now are the base to apply to a 2nd funding phase. Primarily, Gehler’s professional expertise is supposed to be viewed material-independent, especially in the field of steel construction. Beyond, Gehler’s networks in research, industry, and society shall be investigated since they seem to be of particular relevance for the acquisition of research projects and the distribution of his research results. The prestressed wire concrete, which remains a research focus in phase 2, was seen as a steel-saving alternative to reinforced concrete and it was supported by the political establishment during the Nazi era. In this regard, the applicants hope to get further explanations about Gehler’s political position.The 1st phase of the research provided indications that Gehler’s mode of thought was deeply rooted in the era of German Empire, which also could be relevant for his actions during the Nazi era. Within the 2nd phase of the project, the estate of his colleague Kurt Beyer will be analysed. An initial inspection of this large estate indicates information about Gehler and, e.g. his relationship to Beyer. The thesis “Gehler as ‘persona non grata’” could not be discussed conclusively, yet. On one side, colleagues campaigned for his rehabilitation and dedicated articles in scientific journals to him when he was still alive, on the other side after his dead Gehler vanished into oblivion. In the 1960s, he was depicted as a convinced National Socialist, however, in the 1980s appreciative dedications can be found again in professional literature. The apparently contradictory culture of recognition is to be considered in the political and social context within the 2nd phase of research.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants