Johann Philipp Reis

Johann Philipp Reis (January 7, 1834 – January 24, 1874), was born in Gelnhausen, Germany, as son to a poor baker. He was self-taught scientist and inventor who constructed one of the first working telephones. (See Reis' telephone).

Early life and education

Philipp Reis' mother died while he was an infant, so he was raised by his paternal grandmother, a well-read, intelligent and religious woman.

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At the age of six Philipp Reis was sent to the common school of his home town of Gelnhausen, in Cassel. Here his talents attracted the notice of his instructors, who advised his father to extend his education at a higher college. His father died before his son was ten years old; but his grandmother and guardians placed him at Garnier's Institute, in Friedrichsdorf, where

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he showed a taste for languages, and acquired both French and English, as well as a stock of miscellaneous information from the library. At the end of his fourteenth year he passed to Hassel's Institute, at Frankfurt am Main, where he picked up Latin and Italian. A love of science now began to show itself, and his guardians were recommended to send him to the Polytechnic School of Karlsruhe; but one of them, his uncle, wished him to become a merchant, and on March 1, 1850, Philipp Reis was apprenticed to the colour trade in the establishment of J.F. Beyerbach, of Frankfurt, against his own will. He told his uncle that he would learn the business chosen for him, but should continue his proper studies by-and-by.

Related Topics:
Frankfurt am Main - Karlsruhe

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By diligent service he won the esteem of Beyerbach, and devoted his leisure to self-improvement, taking private lessons in mathematics and physics, and attending the lectures of Professor R. Bottger on mechanics at the Trade School. When his apprenticeship ended he attended the Institute of Dr. Poppe, in Frankfurt. As neither history nor geography was taught there, several of the students agreed to instruct each other in these subjects. Philipp Reis undertook geography, and believed he had found his true vocation in the art of teaching. He also became a member of the Physical Society of Frankfurt.

Related Topics:
Mathematics - Physics

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In 1855 he completed his year of military service at Kassel, then returned to Frankfurt to qualify himself as a teacher of mathematics and science by means of private study and public lectures. His intention was to finish his training at the University of Heidelberg, but in the spring of 1858 he visited his old friend and master, Hofrath Garnier, who offered him a post in Garnier's Institute.

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On 14th of September, 1859, Reis was married, and shortly after he moved to Friedrichsdorf, to begin his new career as a teacher.

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