Have you noticed this seemingly simple stainless steel desk plaque? This is the Gedenktafel Alfred Byk. It stands as a stark reminder of a brilliant mind silenced far too soon. The Gedenktafel Alfred Byk commemorates the life and tragic fate of Alfred Byk. He was a Jewish physicist and professor. He lived here on Olivaer Platz 6 from 1932 until his deportation in June 1942.
Alfred Byk’s story is one of intellectual pursuit. It is also one of heartbreaking loss. Born in Berlin in 1878, Byk excelled in his studies. He initially earned a doctorate in chemistry. His passion soon shifted to the realm of physics. Byk became a professor of physical chemistry. He taught at both the Technische Hochschule and the University of Berlin.
Byk’s academic career flourished. He researched the forces within atoms. He also lectured on quantum theory. He even served as an assistant to Max Planck. Max von Laue was his predecessor. Lise Meitner was his successor.
However, the rise of the Nazi regime cast a dark shadow over Byk’s life. In 1933, he was stripped of his professorship. His daughters managed to emigrate to Australia. Albert Einstein even wrote them a letter of recommendation. Sadly, Byk could not escape the country.
In 1938, Byk’s wife Hedwig died by suicide. Other relatives managed to flee Germany. His cousin Suse Byk became a well-known photographer. But Alfred Byk remained trapped.
On June 2, 1942, Alfred Byk was deported to Sobibor. He was transported with the 14th Osttransport from Berlin. Just days later, on June 15, 1942, he was murdered upon arrival.
This Gedenktafel Alfred Byk serves as a powerful symbol. It is a symbol of remembrance. It reminds us of the countless individuals who suffered under Nazi persecution. It also honors Byk’s contributions to science. The plaque was unveiled on February 1, 2023. The unveiling was made possible by a donation from BYK-Chemie GmbH.
The Gedenktafel Alfred Byk stands in the green space of Olivaer Platz. It is across from house number 6. Dr. Lutz Schröter spoke at the unveiling. He is the Vice President of the German Physical Society. Dr. Stefan Wolff from the Deutsches Museum München also spoke. Dr. Miles Pattenden spoke too. He is Alfred Byk’s great-grandson from the Australian Catholic University.
Alfred Byk’s father, Heinrich, founded a chemical factory in Berlin in 1873. The company still exists today. It bears the name Byk. Alfred Byk’s legacy lives on. It lives on through this memorial. It also lives on through his contributions to the world of physics. Let us remember Alfred Byk. Let us honor his memory. Let us never forget the lessons of the past.