A building from 1900 stands before you. This is the Walter-Frenzel-Bau. It is located on George-Bähr-Straße. This building is part of the TU Dresden campus. Today, let’s explore the story behind this building.
The Walter-Frenzel-Bau has a rich history. It is named after Walter Frenzel. He was a significant figure in textile engineering. Frenzel became a professor in 1946. He directed the Institute for Textile and Paper Engineering.
Walter Frenzel’s influence extended beyond this role. In 1947, he founded the Institute for Fiber Technology. This institute was in Pirna-Copitz. Later, it moved to Hohe Straße in Dresden. Frenzel managed this alongside his university position. He did so until 1959.
The Walter-Frenzel-Bau itself became a dedicated space in 1996. It was named to honor Frenzel’s contributions. Before that, the building served as a textile machine shop. This was within the Zeuner Building complex. The dedication marked its importance to textile studies.
Textile technology has a long tradition in Dresden. Lectures in this field started in 1865. This was at the Königlich Sächsischen Polytechnikum. In 1925, the Institute for Textile and Paper Technology was founded. This institute was led by Prof. Meister. It was divided into two departments. One focused on textile engineering. The other on textile technology.
The Walter-Frenzel-Bau played a key role in this history. In 1931, the textile machine laboratory officially opened. This provided a space for practical work. The building continued to evolve with the field. In 1953, the Institute for Textile and Paper Engineering split. It became the Institute for Textile Engineering and the Institute for Paper Engineering.
Later, in 1954, construction began on a new building for the Institute of Fiber Technology. A part of this new building was used by the Institute of Textile Technology. This shows the interconnectedness of these institutions.
After Frenzel’s retirement, Prof. Wolfgang Bobeth took over. He headed the Institute for Textile Technology. In 1961, the Institute for Textile Technology moved. It occupied the third section of the building on Hohe Straße 6.
The Walter-Frenzel-Bau stands as a reminder of this history. It connects the past with the present. Today, the Walter-Frenzel-Bau is building number 1182 on the campus. It is more than just a building. It represents a legacy of innovation and learning. The Walter-Frenzel-Bau remains a vital part of the university.