The German Aerospace Research Institute during the German Empire and the Weimar Republic

Volume 2: Research and testing for a nation of aviation

Research and testing for a nation of aviation, Volume 2
The German Aviation Research Institute during the German Empire and the Weimar Republic. Author: Helmuth Trischler. Available (in German) from 12 June 2026.

The German Aviation Research Institute (Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt; DVL) was a central institution for aviation research from 1912 to 1945. From its founding, it was clear that it was intended to assume the role of a national research and testing institute. The DVL combined scientific knowledge with technical testing tasks. During the First World War, the institution came under considerable military influence, which restricted its scientific autonomy. Only towards the end of the war were parts of its research operations expanded again. Nevertheless, an institutional and financial crisis loomed for the DVL after the war ended. With the economic stabilisation of the Weimar Republic, organisational and personnel restructuring began. During this period, the institution recruited qualified scientists and established an excellent reputation in aviation research. For example, all type certification tests for new aircraft were conducted through the DVL.

Images from the monograph

Aircraft and propeller test site tower vehicle
This photograph was taken in 1916 and shows the aircraft and propeller test site tower vehicle of the German Aviation Research Institute (DVL) near Dümde, south of Schönefeld, Germany.
Image: 1/12, Credit:
First wind tunnel of the German Aviation Research Institute (DVL), 1913
This photograph, taken in the mid-1920s, shows the DVL's first wind tunnel in Berlin-Adlershof. It was designed by Georg Fuhrmann in 1913.
Image: 2/12, Credit:
Photograph of the DVL site plan, 1932
Site plan of the German Aviation Research Institute (DVL) in Berlin-Adlershof; photo of a wall display from the meeting room in what would later become the main building in the southern part of the site.
Image: 12/12, Credit:

Disclaimer regarding image rights: Despite extensive research, we were unable to identify the authors or copyright holders for some of these images. If you are the copyright holder or rights owner, please contact DLR.

Monograph details

Title

Research and testing for a nation of aviation

The German Aviation Research Institute during the German Empire and the Weimar Republic, Volume 2

Author

Helmuth Trischler

Publication date

12 June 2026

Publisher

Cuvillier Verlag GmbH

Language

German

Pages

431

ISBN

978-3-68952-502

E-Book

A link will be available by the end of 2026.

 

Buy the book online

See further monographs

Military and civil aviation research at the Aerodynamics Research Institute in Göttingen, 1918 to 1933

Volume 1: Between World War I, the Treaty of Versailles and rearmament.

Injustice at the predecessor organisations of the German Aerospace Center (1933–1945)

Volume 3: Persecution, human experimentation, forced labour.

Innovations and the processes behind them in the predecessors of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) from 1933 to 1945

Volume 4: Higher, faster, further – slower.

Jessika Wichner, Head of the DLR Central Archive, is responsible for the implementation of the reappraisal project, together with Jens Wucherpfennig and Daniel Beckmann from DLR Communications.

Contact

Andreas Schütz

Head of Corporate Communications, Spokesperson
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Corporate Communications
Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne
Tel: +49 2203 601-2474