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DR. J.E. BRANDENBERGER |
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Dr. phil. and chem. |
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A reflection upon the ingenious inventor |
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"Character in great and small matters means that Man steadily pursues the things which he feels capable of achieving. True character shows only in what Man does, continues to do and persists in doing." |
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Goethe |
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In the course of the centuries, there have been many Swiss with great personal achievements in the development of a good and viable community of nations, in the sound administration of justice, in art, literature and science. Moreover, Swiss ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit have always stimulated and enriched the industrial development in our own country and well beyond its borders. |
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During the first half of the 20th century it was the expatriate Swiss Dr. J.E. Brandenberger, Paris, who, as ingenious research scientist, inventor and founder of the major viscose film industry, found undisputed and world-wide recognition. |
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This outstanding inventor and businessman excelled through his sophistication of mind and kindness of heart. As a young man he already felt a courageous, bold and unrestrained zest for action. His untiring eagerness for work was coupled with a tremendous strength of will. Hardly of age, i.e. at the age of 22, he passed his doctorate's examination in chemistry at the faculty of arts of Bern University with the ultimate grade "summa cum laude", making him the youngest doctor in Switzerland at the time. His faith in a successful future, his optimism and his absolute trust in his own capabilities combined with a clear view of existing business opportunities and a bold power of decision in his resolutions. He was not only a magnanimous and generous businessman with a strong dislike of pettiness, but also the father and educator of his employees and workers. He always found the time to look personally into the concerns and worries of his staff. He had a keen sense of responsibility when it came to the welfare of his employees. By virtue of his open and straight character, his dependability which missed and forgot nothing, through his open-hearted and generous way of thinking and acting, but above all through his friendly and distinguished nature, he set a shining and impressive example. The charm he radiated was an anathema to servility. |
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He always approached his employees with trust, assigning and granting responsibilities and initiative at a very early stage. This is also why he always appreciated the straightforward, loyal and faithful work of all the people who worked for him. He was also aware that his business, where so many unsolved technical and economical problems awaited far-sighted planning, handling and appraising, needed to rely on the loyal and unwavering help from the staff. The harmonious interplay of all forces, the respect for every kind of work, but above all the respect for humanity, was the paramount principle in his thinking. Trust, once given, was a question of honour among men. An excellent judge of human nature, Dr. Brandenberger showed a superb talent for finding the right kind of psychological treatment and appraisal of his employees. His unparalleled flair allowed him to identify the dormant talents and skills in his employees, and the plain but vivacious manner in which he conveyed his wealth of ideas inspired them to work joyfully and untiringly. His enchanting and charming nature, but with a strong-willed and consistent purposefulness only just under the surface, often ignited creative powers and achievements among many of his people. The example he set quite simply spirited people along. Time and mealtimes were forgotten during interesting experiments which he always attended in person. |
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He often confronted his employees with delicate situations to find out if they had enough zeal, patience, perseverance and maybe even inventive talents to solve the task at hand. The following experience the author had with Dr. Brandenberger bears witness to this and also shows the kindness of heart of this gifted inventor and his deep-seated empathy and sympathy for the development and the advancement of young people - the fine character of Dr. Brandenberger in brief. |
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The author, freshly graduated as machine technician, took up his 6 week probationary period prior to permanent employment at the "La Cellophane" plant in Bezons (Seine et Oise) in France in January and February 1921. The period was seen as a trial in patience and a test of skills. This particular trial involved a special and important problem: testing the economic viability of a new material (viscose film) for a special practical application. The fabrication of "Cellophane" bags, feasible only manually at that time, required a large workforce. But it had been known generally that paper bags in certain shapes and sizes could also be made entirely by machines. Dr. Brandenberger bought a second-hand paper bag machine to test whether it would also be suitable for making "Cellophane" bags. Although the material properties of paper and viscose film are totally different, he believed that a new machine design derived from the tests could eventually result in much more economical production of the "Cellophane" bags. |
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This paper bag machine was mounted in a separate laboratory with a sign on the door saying "Access strictly for authorized personnel only". And the young Swiss, aged 21 years, was entrusted with the delicate task of the machine production of the "Cellophane" bags. The principal investigator had unrestricted access to the mechanical workshops and the joinery, and he had total freedom of action to decide on any improvements to the mechanically rather worn-out paper bag machine, for instance installing new auxiliary devices. |
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The following six weeks saw a dispiriting sequence of partial successes alternating with abject failures. Finally, the principal investigator was forced to conclude that positive results could after all not be expected from this old second-hand machine. Somewhat down-hearted, fearful and timid, the young Swiss technician approached Dr. Brandenberger and submitted his final report on the "Cellophane" bag fabrication. Did this concession of defeat mean the definite end to the career of the principal investigator with "La Cellophane"? In any case, the young Swiss expected the worst. He was convinced that Dr. Brandenberger would give his definite No to the permanent employment at "la Cellophane". But imagine the young man's surprise when Dr. Brandenburger gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder and said, smiling: "Since you've been so patient for the past six weeks and worked diligently in the test lab, and as you've had the courage to tell me that further tests on the paper bag machines for manufacturing serviceable "Cellophane" bags would be useless, I have decided to give you a permanent job as a member of the technical works management team of the "Cellophane" plant. You are not the first who had to struggle with these tests. But over the last six weeks you have shown a great deal of good will, and you have also passed a rather tough test of your patience and nerves. For me it has been a pleasure to watch your work, although, as predicted, the tests failed to show positive results." |
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Dr. Brandenberger was an entrepreneur of rare stature. He was fortunate to see the fruit of his great work and to be able to reap the benefits of his significant invention during his lifetime. Right to the end of his life he was the life and soul of the "Cellophane" operations. His company bore the stamp of his strong and outstanding personality. His success did not come about by chance, instead, it was firmly rooted on his ingenious talent, his untiring working powers, his youthful and fresh entrepreneurial spirit which never left him until well advanced in years, his courage and his deep-rooted sense of responsibility. As a Swiss endowed with so many creative talents, Dr. Brandenberger has worked his way up to become a renowned and highly regarded world leader in industry. He bequeathed his excellent life's work to posterity. As an expatriate Swiss citizen, he brought great honour to his homeland. |
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Fahrwangen, 1955 |
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From a commemorative address in honour of Dr. J.E. Brandenberger, |
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© 1999 - Stiftung Dr. J.E. Brandenberger |
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