However, I survived and started to read all chemistry books that I could get a hand on, first some 19th century books from our home library that did not provide much reliable information, and then I emptied the rather extensive city library.

My father, Robert Ernst, was teaching as an architect at the technical high school of our city.

I recognized that teaching and research institutions vitally depend on the involvement of active scientists also in management functions.

A brief visit to Nepal started my insatiable love for Asian art.

Experiments were not attempted at that time, we did not believe in the usefulness of the concept anyway, and I finished my thesis in 1962 with a feeling like an artist balancing on a high rope without any interested spectators.

I am not surprised that they show no intention to follow in my footsteps, although if I had a second chance myself, I would certainly try to repeat my present career.

I thus decided to leave the university forever and tried to find an industrial job in the United States.