The Environment Chronicle

W.C. Röntgen discovers X-rays and receives the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901.

The world's first waste incinerator comes into operation in Hamburg.

The Sierra Club was founded on May 28, 1892, by John Muir, a noted preservationist, and a group of influential friends who sought to create an organization to protect the boundaries of the newly established Yosemite National Park. Today, the Sierra Club has over 1.3 million members and supporters and is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

The hydroelectric plant Lauffen on the Neckar provides power to Frankfurt, 175 km away, marking the start of distributed electricity supply.

The first German drinking water reservoir comes into operation at Remscheid. By WW1, more reservoirs are built, such as at the Eder and Möhne valleys.

The first sewage treatment works comes into operation in Frankfurt-Niederrad.

Berlin's sewage system is begun. Following Gdansk's example, the sewage is passed onto sewage fields.

The first hydroelectric power is used to illuminate Castle Linderhof in Bavaria.

The Yellowstone First National Park situated in the US states Wyoming (96%), Montana (3%), and Idaho (1%) was founded on March 1st, 1872 as the first national park of the world, setting an example followed in other countries, including Germany.

On July, 13th, 1870 the Royal Prussian Commission for the Research of the German Seas took up work in Kiel on behalf of the fishery. The commission had been established by the Royal Prussian Ministry of Agricultural Affairs aiming at improved fishing results.

Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) formed the Ecology term in his book "General Morphology of Organisms". However, he can not be named as the inventor of this scientific branch, as ecological problems had already been covered since ancient times. As early as around 300 B.C. the works of Theophrast contained many corresponding examples.

The start of the potash industry in Staßfurt near Magdeburg contaminates rivers with spoil salts.

Discovery and use of aniline dye. The aniline dye industry leads to much pollution and damage to public health.

The first central water supply is built in Hamburg. Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne follow suit. The water is not yet filtered.

The first sewage system is put into operation in Hamburg.

J. von Liebig founds the science of agricultural chemistry and forms of artificial fertilisers multiply.

Johann Gottfried Tulla (1770 - 1828) starts work on expanding the Upper Rhine between the Black Forest and the Vosges. The Weser, Elbe and Danube are also excavated in the 19th century.