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Erich Schmid

1896 – 1983

Austrian physicist

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About Erich Schmid

Lived 1896 – 1983 (aged 87). Erich Schmid was an Austrian physicist and university teacher.

Erich Schmid (4 May 1896, in Bruck an der Mur – 22 October 1983, in Vienna) was a physicist from Austria. He made important discoveries in the field of crystal plasticity.

Schmid studied physics and mathematics at the University of Vienna and received his doctorate in 1920 under the supervision of Felix Ehrenhaft. He then became the assistant of Ludwig Flamm. In 1951 he accepted a position at the University of Vienna and stayed there until retiring in 1967.

One of his most successful contributions is the book "Plasticity of Crystals: with special reference to metals" ("Kristallplastizität: Mit Besonderer Berücksichtigung der Metalle") which he coauthored with Walter Boas. In 1960 the Austrian Academy of Sciences awarded him the Erwin Schrödinger Prize and named the institute for material sciences after him ("Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science"). He was also awarded the Wilhelm Exner Medal, the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art and the Ring of Honour of the City of Vienna.

The Schmid Factor (or Schmid's Law) is named for him.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
University of Vienna
Employers
University of Vienna, Ludwig Flamm, Kaiser Wilhelm Society
Awards
Ring of Honour of the City of Vienna; Erwin Schrödinger Prize; Austrian Decoration for Science and Art; Wilhelm Exner Medal; Prize of the City of Vienna for Natural Sciences

People in Erich Schmid's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Erich Schmid's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Erich Schmid?

Austrian physicist (1896–1983)

When was Erich Schmid born?

Erich Schmid was born on 4 May 1896 in Bruck an der Mur.

When did Erich Schmid die?

Erich Schmid died on 22 October 1983 in Vienna.

What was Erich Schmid's occupation?

Erich Schmid was a physicist and university teacher.

What nationality was Erich Schmid?

Erich Schmid was Austrian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Erich Schmid

· Wikidata: Q1353168

· DBpedia: Erich Schmid (physicist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Erich Schmid. https://biography.guide/erich-schmid/

MLA: "Erich Schmid." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/erich-schmid/.

Chicago: "Erich Schmid." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/erich-schmid/.

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