Prof. Dr. Wold-Dieter Keidel

Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Keidel, born on 14th of December 1917, studied medicine from 1938 to 1942 in Würzburg, Wien, and Munic. After his service as a physician on the eastern front, he started his scientific career in aviation, physical medicine and physiology. He qualified as a university lecturer, became appointed professor of physiology in 1956, and director of the Institute of Physiology and Biocybernetics at the University in Erlangen in 1961.

His scientific activities include the publication of 250 papers, more than 250 lectures in different countries, 18 books on Cybernetics, 3 handbooks of sensory function, and 25 books on physiology. He gained a name for sensory physiology, ultrasonic radiation, magnetic resonance tomography, objective audiometry, visual and acoustic prostheses, and was responsible for the introduction of the computer into physiology.

Keidel is the most famous physiologist in Germany. He was dean of the medical faculty for years, an honorary member of several societies and universities, received innumerable high-ranking honours, and even the German distinguished service medal.

(Prof. Dr. Karin Schorn)