“Born in this very house” is what this plaque commemorates. We stand before the Geburtshaus von Prof. Edward Rhein Plaque in Bonn. This plaque marks the birthplace of a truly remarkable individual. Let me tell you about Eduard Rhein and his incredible journey.
Rudolph Eduard Rhein was born on August 23 1900 in Kōnigswinter. His father owned a summer inn near Drachenfels. However, the family faced financial difficulties. They moved to Beuel now part of Bonn in 1906. Eduard attended school there until 1917.
To avoid military service in World War I, Rhein volunteered to work with airships. He had a keen interest in the subject. After the war, he chose a practical path. He took a voluntary position at an electrical firm in Cologne.
From 1920 to 1923, Rhein studied physics and electrical engineering. He attended a private engineering school near Chemnitz. He graduated with a diploma. Rhein then moved to Berlin and worked for an electric lighting company. The company soon went bankrupt. To make ends meet, he played the violin in hotel bars. Soon after he found work in advertising and patents at AEG.
In 1926, Eduard Rhein began his journalism career. He wrote for magazines. He covered the rapidly evolving medium of radio broadcasting. In 1927, he wrote a book on radio standardization. Rhein had a talent for explaining complex technical topics. He made them understandable to everyone. From 1931, he worked as a science editor for Ullstein-Verlag. He continued there until 1945 even after it was renamed Deutscher Verlag.
Rhein’s work focused on radio and emerging television technology. He was also an inventor. He patented 50 inventions during his lifetime. In 1942, he developed a radio quick starter. It was later used in televisions. During the war, he built a radar prototype, but it was too late for mass production.
His most significant invention came in 1949. Rhein developed a recording method. It doubled the playing time of records. This made Eduard Rhein the inventor of the long-playing record.
Axel Springer recognized Rhein’s journalistic talent. In 1946, Springer commissioned him to create a radio program magazine. The first issue of “Hör zu!” appeared on December 11 1946. “Hör zu!” became very popular. It included program listings, reports on radio and television technology, and more.
After the currency reform of 1948, “Hör zu!” expanded its content. It became a general interest magazine. Eduard Rhein introduced the cartoon character “Mecki” to the magazine. Mecki became a cultural phenomenon.
Eduard Rhein led “Hör zu!” to become Europe’s leading magazine. However, advertising revenue declined in the early 1960s. Rhein lost his position as editor in 1964.
Later in life, Rhein lived on the Côte d’Azur. He established two foundations. The Eduard Rhein Foundation supports science, education, art, and culture. The Professor Rhein Foundation supports art and education in Kōnigswinter.
Eduard Rhein died in Cannes on April 15 1993. He was buried in his hometown of Kōnigswinter. He received many honors during his life. This plaque on the Geburtshaus von Prof. Edward Rhein Plaque serves as a reminder. It commemorates a multifaceted man. He left an indelible mark on technology, media, and culture.