Part II Tracing paths of history Rudolf Straubel, Walter Bauersfeld, and the projection planetarium Peter Volz 7131 Farralone Avenue #48 Canoga Park, California 91303, USA
[email protected] Editor’s Note: The following is the second and final part of an article begun in the December 2013 issue that reviews the history of Rudolf Straubel, Walter Bauersfeld, and development of the first projec- tion planetarium by the Zeiss Optical Company Discussion: Bauersfeld’s account cated mechanical arms with the planets, sun starting in 1914. of the “birth moment” meeting and moon located at their ends, as originally Briefly summarizing, the first article included Some obvious inaccuracies in Bauersfeld’s designed. But it left in place the need for the the founding of the Zeiss Optical Co. in Jena, Ger- article from 1957 have been discussed by oth- rotating sphere signifying the night sky, with many in 1846 and its leadership; the formation ers, especially by Ludwig Meier. For example, hundreds of holes in it, lit from behind, simu- of the Carl-Zeiss-Siftung, and the employment of Bauersfeld placed Oskar von Miller as repre- lating the fixed stars. the key figures in the development of the plane- sentative of the Deutsches Museum at the Straubel’s contribution that “also the fixed tarium. It also includes the company’s relation- meeting, instead of von Miller’s envoy, Franz stars should be projected from the central ap- ship with the Deutsches Museum and its quest Fuchs, as evidenced by the correspondence. paratus” meant combining, into the device for a better portrayal of the stars.