Hans Goldschmidt

Hans Goldschmidt
Born	(1861-01-18)18 January 1861 Berlin Germany
Died	21 May 1923(1923-05-21) (aged 62) Baden-Baden Germany
Nationality	German
Alma mater	University of Berlin
Awards	Elliott Cresson Medal (1904)
Scientific career
Doctoral advisor	Robert Bunsen

Johannes Wilhelm "Hans" Goldschmidt (18 January 1861 – 21 May 1923) was a German chemist notable as the discoverer of the Thermite reaction. He was also co-owner of the Chemische Fabrik Th. Goldschmidt, as of 1911 Th. Goldschmidt AG (later to become part of Evonik Industries) and its most important chemist.^[1] The reaction, also called the Goldschmidt process, is used for thermite welding, often used to join railway tracks. Thermites have also been used in metal refining, disabling munitions, and in incendiary weapons. Some thermite-like mixtures are used as pyrotechnic initiators in fireworks.

His grave is preserved in the Protestant Friedhof I der Jerusalems- und Neuen Kirchengemeinde (Cemetery No. I of the congregations of Jerusalem's Church and New Church) in Berlin-Kreuzberg, south of Hallesches Tor.