In 1887, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) was founded as the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt (PTR) in Berlin in order to promote basic research in physics. This book describes the scientific and industrial milieu of the time, and explains the role of the key people, including Albert Einstein's involvement with the PTR.

In 1887, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) was originally founded as the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt (PTR) in Berlin in order to promote basic research in physics. It subsequently developed into the largest research center worldwide as a place where scientists could concentrate exclusively on their research subject, and served as a model for similar institutes established in other countries. Within a very short time, the PTR produced extremely important scientific results that cemented its international position at the top, such as Max Planck's radiation law and energy...