Straumann, Reinhard: Difference between revisions
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Straumann studied materials science in his spare time, working in a laboratory in Waldenburg. In [[1931]], he collaborated with the German materials firm [[Heraeus]] to create a new hairspring material that would not change in elasticity due to changes in ambient temperature. The resulting material, an alloy of nickel, iron, and other metals, was particularly valuable in the production of hairsprings and balance wheels. Named [[Nivarox]], it was resistant to fracture, corrosion, and magnetism and was perfected in [[1933]] and patented in [[1935]]. | Straumann studied materials science in his spare time, working in a laboratory in Waldenburg. In [[1931]], he collaborated with the German materials firm [[Heraeus]] to create a new hairspring material that would not change in elasticity due to changes in ambient temperature. The resulting material, an alloy of nickel, iron, and other metals, was particularly valuable in the production of hairsprings and balance wheels. Named [[Nivarox]], it was resistant to fracture, corrosion, and magnetism and was perfected in [[1933]] and patented in [[1935]]. | ||
Straumann left Thommen in [[1934]] and | Straumann left Thommen in [[1934]] and entered a joint venture in [[Saint-Imier]] with Albert Ruch of [[W. Ruch|W. Ruch & Cie]], maker of springs under the [[Berna]] name. The new Straumann Department faced an immediate challenge as Albert Ruch died in [[1935]]. Straumann split his department and re-formed it as [[Nivarox SA]] in [[1937]]. The company would merge with [[Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunis|Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunis (FAR)]] of [[Le Locle]] in [[1984]] and remains one of the most valuable components of the [[Swatch Group]]. | ||
After the death of his father in law, Fritz Heid, Straumann became director of [[Tschudin + Heid|Tschudin + Heid AG]], a watch component producer in Waldenburg. He continued working to create new materials in a laboratory there, and patented a new [[mainspring]] material, [[Nivaflex]], in [[1948]]. He founded another company in [[Saint-Imier]] to develop this material, [[Nivaflex SA]], in [[1948]]. | After the death of his father in law, Fritz Heid, Straumann became director of [[Tschudin + Heid|Tschudin + Heid AG]], a watch component producer in Waldenburg. He continued working to create new materials in a laboratory there, and patented a new [[mainspring]] material, [[Nivaflex]], in [[1948]]. He founded another company in [[Saint-Imier]] to develop this material, [[Nivaflex SA]], in [[1948]]. | ||
Revision as of 13:10, 2 September 2021
Reinhard Straumann (November 3, 1892-October 2, 1967) was a Swiss engineer and entrepreneur noted for developing the Nivarox hairspring alloy.
Biography
Reinhard Straumann was born in Beniwill near Waldenburg in Northwest Switzerland. He studied watchmaking in Le Locle from 1908 to 1912 and mechanical engineering in Lausanne until 1916.
In 1916, Straumann joined Thommens Uhrenfabrik, Waldenburg's prominent watch factory. Straumann rose to become technical director of the factory, which was managed by his cousin, Doctor Hermann Straumann from 1932.
Straumann studied materials science in his spare time, working in a laboratory in Waldenburg. In 1931, he collaborated with the German materials firm Heraeus to create a new hairspring material that would not change in elasticity due to changes in ambient temperature. The resulting material, an alloy of nickel, iron, and other metals, was particularly valuable in the production of hairsprings and balance wheels. Named Nivarox, it was resistant to fracture, corrosion, and magnetism and was perfected in 1933 and patented in 1935.
Straumann left Thommen in 1934 and entered a joint venture in Saint-Imier with Albert Ruch of W. Ruch & Cie, maker of springs under the Berna name. The new Straumann Department faced an immediate challenge as Albert Ruch died in 1935. Straumann split his department and re-formed it as Nivarox SA in 1937. The company would merge with Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunis (FAR) of Le Locle in 1984 and remains one of the most valuable components of the Swatch Group.
After the death of his father in law, Fritz Heid, Straumann became director of Tschudin + Heid AG, a watch component producer in Waldenburg. He continued working to create new materials in a laboratory there, and patented a new mainspring material, Nivaflex, in 1948. He founded another company in Saint-Imier to develop this material, Nivaflex SA, in 1948.
Straumann's Waldenburg research laboratory became Institute Dr. Ing. Reinhard Straumann in 1954, with research continuing on new materials. The institute focused on areas of interest to Straumann, chiefly ski flying, watch materials, and test equipment. The company would be renamed Straumann AG in 1990 and would focus on development of dental implants.