Memories of the History of the Division of the Chemistry of Construction Materials
Dear fellow chemistry of construction materials specialists,
On the occasion of the 3rd International Conference on the Chemistry of Construction Materials – or 3rd ICCCM for short – I experienced for the first time an advantage of the coronavirus pandemic: I was able to take part in the Division’s Online General Assembly. I certainly would not have travelled after XY. Although this medium does not allow for many things, this contact is still better than no contact at all.
For me, it was also a look back at the beginnings of the Division of the Chemistry of Construction Materials. I remember that time fondly. At the beginning was the initiative of the GDCh Managing Directors, represented by Dr. Behret. They invited the following to the GDCh Office in Frankfurt for exploratory discussions:
Mr Schröter and I initially took up the GDCh’s initiative somewhat hesitantly. But things got under way. Following discussions, meetings of GDCh members interested in chemistry of construction materials in Frankfurt and elections, a “GDCh Working Group” was initially formed according to the GDCh’s rules. I was elected Chair, probably in 1994. “Deutsche Bauchemie” was initially extremely sceptical about this. For example, Dr. Behret and I were invited to Altötting by the then Chair of “Deutsche Bauchemie”, Mr Poech, for a discussion. The discussions could not prevent our foundation, nor did we allow ourselves to be dissuaded from using the term “Bauchemie” in our name, which the inviter did not want.
In November 1996, the Working Group held its first event, a workshop in Hünfeld near Fulda. Even then, I attached importance to having the presentations printed in a citable form. The first conference proceedings were published (GDCh Monograph Vol. 7). This continued during my time and beyond. We did not yet know about impact factors. We assessed scientists according to more general criteria. The points-based assessment only came later, perhaps from football?
In 1997, the GDCh “promoted” us from a Working Group to a Division. We must have done satisfactory work. The new Board members were: Prof. Dr. Knöfel (University of Siegen; Chair), Prof. Dr. Hummel (Knauf Gips; Deputy Chair), Dr. Akstinat (Holderchem, Switzerland), Prof. Dr. Cammenga (TU Braunschweig) and Prof. Dr. Hiller (TU Munich). The Division’s profile grew. Membership increased, as the current Division Chair Dr. Frank Winnefeld reported at the 2021 General Assembly (at some point), to more than 300. We held three Conferences (in Munich in 1997, Siegen in 1999 and Würzburg in 2001), and three volumes of conference proceedings/GDCh Monographs Vol. 11, Vol. 15 and Vol. 24 were published under the title “Bauchemie – from Research to Practice”. I retired in summer 2001, and my time as Chair ended in the autumn of the same year. I had capable colleagues in all areas, to whom I am greatly indebted. For me, it was a fulfilling time which I remember fondly.
The train had been put on the track; it was moving. The engine driver was changed, Prof. Dr. Cammenga took over and others followed, successfully leading the Division to this day. First of all, I would like to thank everyone who, through their work, has maintained and expanded the Division’s success over the past years. This naturally means, above all, the Board members of the past five terms of office – led by their Chairs. Five terms of office – 20 years – that is how long it has been since I withdrew from active involvement.
Of course, the Board cannot function without active members, which is why the many members who fill the life of the Division with their contributions also deserve my full recognition and thanks. I wish the Division continued success in the future.
Children have one father, sometimes several fathers, and sometimes nobody wants to have been one. In the case of our Division of the Chemistry of Construction Materials, none of the fathers involved will want to deny their contribution. There were many fathers, and all of them will look upon the children and grandchildren and their work with gratitude and a little pride.
Dietbert Knöfel
Berlin, 16 March 2021