The Nobel Stamps of 1978

Design: Lennart Forsberg Engraver: Arne Wallhorn Printing process: Recess Printed at: The Post Office Stamp Printing Works.

 

The stamps portray the Nobel Laureates of 1918:

FRITZ HABER (1868–1934) came from a Polish merchant family. After studies at Heidelberg and in Berlin he worked in the chemical industry for several years. However, he was undecided about his future. It was not until after many further years of study that he made up his mind to devote himself to science. Haber's foremost contribution to organic chemistry lay in his investigations of the balance between hydrogen and nitrogen, which led to the direct synthesis of ammonia from the hydrogen and nitrogen present in the air. This was to be of extreme importance to the production of synthetic fertilizers, for which there was a great need in the world. Haber was awarded the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

MAX PLANCK (1858–1947) was born at Kiel but grew up in Munich. While studying in Berlin in the late 1870's he was greatly inspired by the famous physicist Rudolf Clausius' writings on thermodynamics, and Planck's major contribution was to be in this field. In 1900 Planck first determined the correct mathematical law for the wavelength distribution of energy. Until that time it had only been experimental observations. His theory is the basic for quantum physics - essential to scientific research today. Planck's theories have also been of importance to spectral analysis and to the study of physical/chemical phenomena such as the influence of the temperature on the speed and heat of a reaction.Planck was awarded the 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics.

 

© 1978 SWEDEN POST STAMPS