Abstract

Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology – Parts of the Encyclopedia Die Kultur der Gegenwart (The culture of today). The paper explores the trend of the early 20th century to consolidate mathematics, natural sciences, medicine and technology under the umbrella of one integrative culture – a tendency which contrasts with the increasing mainstream trend of separating the humanities from the natural sciences. The unifying umbrella was framed by the great encyclopedia Die Kultur der Gegenwart which was published by B. G. Teubner from 1905 to 1925 and was planned to run up to 62 volumes. We analyze the quantitative rate of the parts devoted to the humanities, the natural sciences and technology, respectively, the degree to which these parts were completed in this encyclopedia. In particular, we investigate the role of mathematicians and their reasons to find a classification for the mathematical, natural scientific and engineering parts of culture as well as their reasons, to win Nobel prize winners and other famous scientists to become co‐editors and authors. We examine the published volumes in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, physics, astronomy and technology in order to show what type of publication – professional or popular – was intended. Furthermore, we illuminate how the educational reform of mathematics, natural sciences and technology of this period – which included a reform of girls' and women's education – was reflected in the encyclopedia Die Kultur der Gegenwart.