Gewerbeschulen

Extended mention will not be made of the Gewerbeschulen, as the point of distinction between such schools and the Fachschulen was set forth under the last section. They partake of the character of trade schools, but are more general in their tendencies. While both theoretical and practical work are given, the former is not always applied theory, the Gewerbeschulen being based upon, what we in America speak of, as the educational side of trade instruction. These schools are attended by boys and men fourteen to twenty-four years of age,—individuals representing the various trades. The courses cover a period of three years. Both State and local moneys go to the support of these schools.

The Gewerbliche Fachschule of Cologne is somewhat distinctive. It instructs chiefly the sons of tradesmen and superior artisans. There are three departments in the school:

First—that of engineering and architectural drawing.

Second—modeling department.

Third—the department of decoration, housepainting, etc.

The session covers both winter and summer months, the winter term, as in other cases, being the better attended. Other typical Gewerbeschulen are located at Grenzhausen and at Reimscheid. Applicants for admission must have prepared in the Volksschule or elementary school. The programme comprises the German language, French, English, literature, plane and descriptive geometry, physics, chemistry, drawing, mechanics, machine construction. The preparation here obtained fits the participants to enter the higher schools, or to act as foremen and masters. These schools also lead up to the industrial schools of Bavaria, of which we shall now speak.

Industrial Schools of Bavaria
(Industrieschulen)

The industrial schools of the Bavarian Kingdom stand out as a distinct class of educational institutions. Here, since 1872, there has been a clean cut system, presided over by a Minister of Education. While the quality and character of the work done are quite similar to that taken up in the secondary schools elsewhere, the institutions are in some respects more exactly defined and supervision and instruction in the schools of weaving, woodcarving, basketmaking, pottery, violin making, etc., is frequently superior to that in some other locality.

The age of admission is sixteen years, two years being the usual length of course; the education of the Real-Schule is a requisite, or failing this, an examination must be taken. In 1901-1902 the Munich schools had an enrollment of 241 students, distributed as follows: mechanical engineering 124; chemical engineering 27; architecture 62; commercial 28. The graduates are fitted to occupy positions of trust and prominence in the various industrial pursuits of the country and to enter the technical colleges.

The Industrieschulen of Bavaria are four in number, located at

they having been established in 1868. Advanced courses are offered in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, building construction, and commercial education. The school at Würzburg is of a somewhat superior order, although secondary in its tendencies, machinery construction and electro-technics being given attention.

In the mechanical engineering course the following subjects are studied:

In the chemistry course the curriculum is made up of

The building construction course offers language, mechanical drawing and architecture.

V

Higher Technical Schools
Technische Hochschulen

We have at this point in our study reached the schools of highest rank offering training of a technical character, called variously technical high schools, technical colleges, or polytechnics, the Technische Hochschulen. These schools are not high schools in the sense that the term would be applied to our American institutions, but are rather schools of collegiate grade, ranking in fact, as the title indicates in the university class. While not exactly comparable to our engineering schools, they approach more nearly these than they do any other of our American educational institutions.

Before the beginning of the century just closed it was apparent to some German minds more far seeing than the rest, that schools of a higher than secondary rank must be inaugurated to offer training in the sciences; give opportunity to show the application of science to the arts; and prepare young men to grapple with scientific industrial problems such as were constantly springing up. Should the university attempt such work? An effort was made looking toward this end. It was at once evident that here was not the place to begin. The university was an institution in and of itself. Its methods, curriculum and aim were fixed, owing to long established customs. It had a certain work to perform, its own peculiar function to fulfill, and traditional and classical tendency were too strong to be checked in their movement, or to allow a branch stream to flow in and thus add to or modify the existing content.

The war for industrial supremacy, between England and Germany particularly, was a prominent factor leading up to the establishment of technical schools in the latter country. Germany saw the necessity for heroic action, and her people, anxious to improve from the standpoint of her industries at home not only, but that they might rival and surpass their neighbors across the “Silver Streak” readily took up the cry for advanced scientific training. This then was the object of the Technische Hochschulen:[2]

“They were intended to secure for science a foothold in the workshop, to assist with the light of reasoned theory the progress of arts and industry, till then fettered by many a prejudice and hindered through lack of knowledge; on the other hand, they sought to raise that part of the nation engaged in industry to such a love of culture as would secure to it its due measure of public respect.”

[2] Note on the earlier History of the Technical High School in Germany by A. E. Twentyman in Special Reports on Educational Subjects, London, Vol 9, page 468.

The dates of the founding of the now existing Technische Hochschulen vary somewhat, certain of the schools growing out of a foundation which at the beginning was of a low or intermediate grade. Several of the schools have passed through a period of transition or reorganization state during the course of their existence. The institution, and time of establishment of each are as follows.

Berlin,1799
Carlsruhe,1825
Munich,1827
Dresden,1828
Stuttgart,1829
Brunswick,1835
Darmstadt,1868
Aachen,1870
Hannover,1879

In 1799 was instituted in Berlin the Bauakademie, a State institution whose purpose was set forth in the royal decree thus:

“To train in theoretical and practical knowledge capable surveyors, architects, civil engineers, and masons, principally for the King’s dominions, but foreigners may find admittance if no disadvantage accrue thereby to the King’s subjects.”

Later, in 1821, Gewerbeschule came into existence, and in 1879 the union of these two formed the Berlin Technische Hochschule which is located in Charlottenburg, a suburb of the city. Owing to the high standards of this institution, it is styled the Königliche Technische Hochschule. Since its reorganization the plans of the other schools of like character have been modified in accordance with the Berlin scheme.

The preparation necessary for admission to the Hochschulen is equivalent to that demanded by the university proper. The age of admission probably never drops below seventeen, the average age being considerably greater. Men of mature years and of wide experience and training avail themselves to the privileges offered. The courses are from three to four years in length.

[3] “The new universities thus developed have the purpose of affording higher instruction for the technical positions in state and community service, as well as in industrial life, and of cultivating sciences and arts which are intimately connected with the field of technology (Berlin provisory statute, 1879). They prove themselves equal to universities in the following points: they claim for their matriculated students the same preparatory education required by the old universities, namely, nine years at a classical high school; they grant and insist upon perfect freedom in teaching and learning; and are under the direction of rectors elected for one year, instead of having principals chosen for life as in secondary schools.”

[3] Report of the United States Commissioner of Education, 1897-1898, page 70.

It may be said here that an exception to the rule of the annual election of the administrative officers, is furnished in the example of the Munich school, which retains a permanent Director as the custom prevailed in times past.

Unless otherwise qualified, students must have prepared in the Industrieschule, the Gymnasium, the Real-Gymnasium or in the trade or building schools. In lieu of this an examination is demanded. Twenty-four is the minimum age of graduation.

In tracing the development of these schools from unpretentious beginnings to their present high standards of excellence, we see that more and more they have become unified in purpose and similar in curricula. In the early days too, the qualifications for admission, their dynamic government, and educational standards were lower and more diversified than we find them to-day. Sustained by the State and each administered by its board or council, they are doing a work which cannot be excelled by the universities themselves.

The organization of departments of work offered is approximately the same in all schools. In Berlin there are six departments:

Special attention is given certain subjects in one or another of these schools; civil or mechanical engineering, building construction, industrial chemistry, etc. An agricultural department is maintained at Munich, and a forestry department at Carlsruhe. That a knowledge of the application of electricity is considered essential in our modern methods is shown in the fact that all students in departments of machine construction engage in the study of electro-technics.

The courses of study are to-day upon more of an elective basis than formerly although even now the results of the work of Nebenius are clearly seen. The success of the Hochschulen is due to the efforts of Nebenius more than to any other one man. His ideas were worked out at Carlsruhe and in greater or lesser degree incorporated into all the schools. It was insisted by him that a proper foundation must be laid before any successful special technical training can be had. Preliminary work must be mastered and a natural sequence of studies followed. To this end a fixed graduated course is recommended, the student to be promoted as ability may determine. The one course plan however has been substituted for the several.[4]

[4] “Programm der Königl. Technischen Hochschule zu Hannover, 1901-1902, page 90. Den Hörern bleibt die Wahl der Lehrfächer frei überlassen, für ein geordnetes Studium empfiehlt sich aber die Beachtung der folgenden Studien und Stundenpläne.”

The following table compiled from various sources will give some idea of the extent of the work as carried on in Berlin. The school has a library of 54,000 volumes; a student body of upwards of 4,500 and a modern equipment throughout.

DepartmentsNo. of coursesSUBJECTSNo. of Professors and Instructors
General Science58Mechanics, Physics and general science studies; literature, French, English, Italian, law, political science.33
Civil Engineering34Mechanics, railway construction, bridges, canals, harbors, hydraulics, drainage, land surveying.13
Mechanical Engineering54Kinematics, machine construction, mechanical technology, machine design, water, steam and electrical machines, electro-technics, electro-mechanics, electrical and railway works.23
Naval Engineering19Theory of ship building, classification of ships, designing of warships, boilers, machine construction, practical ship building.6
Chemistry and Metallurgy51Organic and inorganic chemistry including physical, electro and technological chemistry, crystallography, metallurgy, foundry work, cements, botany, chemistry of plants and foods.27
Architecture56History of art, architecture and ornament; building construction, designing of buildings in different materials and for various purposes, preparation of estimates, etc.36

The rivalry existing among the various schools is in some respects a point to be commended. Then, too, the idea taking form in the Hochschulen and being more fully appreciated by the educationalists of our own country, that each school should specialize along some particular line, is worthy of attention. Energy is saved thereby, and students may have the advantage of increased facilities in equipment and instruction. Many Americans are studying in these schools, possibly more in Munich than elsewhere. While thorough in their treatment of subjects, the practical side of the work is too much lost sight of in the theoretical treatment. Testing and applied work are certainly given considerable attention however. To quote Dean Victor C. Alderson of the Armour Institute, Chicago, who says in reference to testing:

“Professors regard this work as professional practice, just as doctors, who are professors in medical schools, have an outside practice. The technical school allows the professors free use of the laboratories, but assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the results or opinions expressed.”

The degree of Doctor of Engineering is conferred by these institutions, and that their work has been highly instrumental in developing the country cannot be doubted, especially in the line of applied chemistry in which branch of engineering Germany leads the nations. How closely the development of the industries of Germany are related to the work of the Technische Hochschulen it is difficult to say, but that these schools have shown through the accomplishments of their graduates that high standards of moral and intellectual training can be had in other than the traditional universities, and that as efficient social service can be rendered through the application of science to the arts and industries as by means of the languages, cannot be doubted.

VI

Schools of Industrial Art or Art Trade Schools

The Kunstgewerbeschulen are schools of art. The causes leading to their inception are clearly set forth in a paragraph contained in the 1902 Report of the United States Commissioner of Labor. It reads:

“The international museums of 1851, 1855 and 1862, in England, Austria and Germany, respectively called attention to the fact that with all their technical excellence the industrial products of Germany possessed few qualities of artistic finish and design. France showed what could be done in this direction. Her products easily held first rank in this respect, her eminence being the result of centuries of training in this field. Since Colbert’s time industrial art education has been emphasized in the training of French workmen, and the accumulated skill and taste due to this training, has left its impress on French products. The German states at once set about to remedy this weakness in this respect, and since that time have so persistently established museums and schools for industrial art training that now there is no important city in the Empire which does not possess one or more of these institutions”.

Considerable variety exists among the various types of art schools and even among those belonging in the same class and separated as to location we find differences. In Leipzig, Saxony, for example the Kunstgewerbeschule aims at the graphic arts mainly. In Berlin, Dresden, Carlsruhe, and certain other cities these schools train for sculptors and painters, and the term “Akademie” is frequently applied to these institutions. They are in fact, art trade schools whose main purpose, while yet industrial, is also the instilling of an artistic feeling into industrial work. They reach on and out from the trade school and up to the institutions for the teaching of the fine arts. They are then a middle grade of applied art schools.

The genesis of the industrial art schools really lies in the establishment of museums of industrial art. The museums were an inspiring and energizing force, for here the best work could be exhibited and studied. The municipality and general government financed the movement for the museums. Schools sprang up in connection with the museums and later, independent art schools were established.

A moderate fee is charged those who pursue work here, twenty to forty marks yearly. Candidates must have had practical experience in the line of work they propose to take up, and both these schools and the so-called industrial drawing courses assume a certain proficiency on the part of the candidates; a proficiency in general subjects and in drawing particularly. An examination is given those who cannot present the desired credentials. The length of the courses in these schools is usually three years. The classes are both day and evening, 8 A. M. to 4 P. M. and from 5 to 10 P. M. In some instances Sunday sessions are held also.

The courses consist of architectural designing in wood and metal, metal engraving and chasing, modeling, steel engraving and etching, design for fabrics, pattern designing, artistic embroidery, decorative painting, enamel painting, designing and painting figures and plants. The work throughout is both theoretical and practical in its nature, the instruction gained in the class being applied in the shop. The subjects of instruction and time devoted to each differ according to the course pursued. As an example of the programme offered, the following, taken from the architectural draftsman’s course in the Munich school is given; the figures show the number of hours per week devoted to each subject.

First year,
linear drawing7
ornament drawing9
ornament drawing2
modelling of21
modelling of ornament and of the human figure21
history of art1
style1
geometry and projections3
Second year,
architectural drawing7
drawing and modeling of the human figure and modeling of ornaments20
history of art1
style1
perspective and shadows2
anatomy, xylography, architecture, sculpture, or chasing10
Third year,
architectural drawing7
drawing and modeling of the human figure and modeling of ornaments10
anatomy1
xylography, architecture, sculpture or chasing24

The Bauschule are only for those who wish proficiency in architectural studies.

What the Industrial Hall at Carlsruhe, the Industrial Art Museum at Berlin, and the National Museum at Munich are to the art schools proper, the open drawing halls are to the industrial drawing courses. Here, as in the museums, are kept models and designs of rare merit and students may pursue work under competent instruction. Such halls are established in Bavaria, Hesse, Prussia, Saxony and Wurttemberg.

In these art courses skill and originality are aimed at equally. The relation existing between the art work and the trade or industry with which it is connected is such as to make more valuable the latter.

It is needless to speak further of the museums. The art products there exhibited give much incentive to students, as well as a feeling for the best from the standpoint of the beautiful and artistic, and all who visit them are consciously or unconsciously influenced for the better.

The following table shows the distribution of industrial art schools throughout the various States.

VII

Bibliography

Beobachtungen und Vergleiche über Einrichtungen für Gewerbliche Erziehung, 1901.—Dr. G. Kerschensteiner.

Das Gewerbeschulwesen.—Carl Melchior.

Denkschriften über die Entwickelung der Gewerblichen Fachschulen und der Fortbildungsschulen in Preussen.—Lüders.

Encyklopädisches Handbuch der Pädagogik.—W. Rein.

English Technical Instruction Commission, 1896. Report on the Recent Progress of Technical Education in Germany.

Fortbildungsschule in unserer Zeit.—J. B. Meyer.

German Higher Schools.—James E. Russell.

German Technical Schools, 1901.—Victor C. Alderson.

Gewerbliche Fortbildungsschulen Deutschlands.—R. Nagel.

Handwörterbuch der Staatswissenschaften, 1900.—Conrad.

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Industrial Education.—Philip Magnus.

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Special Reports on Educational Subjects, London, 1902, Vol. 9, page 465.

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Same, 1894-1895, Vol. 1, page 345-380.

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Same, 1895-1896, Vol. 1, page 138.

Same, 1897-1898, Vol. 1, page 69. German Technical Colleges.

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Industrial Education in Germany.

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Trade and Technical Education in Germany, page 871.

Second Report of the Royal Commission on Technical Education, London, 1884, Vol. 1.

The Educational Foundations of Trade and Industry, 1902.—Fabian Ware.

The Continuation Schools in Berlin.—Dr. H. Bertram.

Special Reports on Educational Subjects, London, 1902, Vol. 9, page 451.

United States Consular Reports. Description of the School of Carpentry and Cabinetmaking in Magdeburg, Prussia, No. 238, July, 1900.—Wm. Diederich.

Same. School of Marine Machinists, Flensburg, Prussia. No. 174, March, 1895.

Same. Technical and Merchant Schools 56:208, page 78.—J. C. Monoghan.

Same. Technical Education in Germany. 54:202, page 447.—J. C. Monoghan.

Transcriber’s Note: The table below lists all corrections applied to the original text.