Frankfurt: How Mobility, Liberality, and Economic Success Cultivated a Hub of Genius
Frankfurt’s story is one of remarkable innovation, fueled by a unique blend of economic prospect, intellectual freedom, and the willingness of individuals to embrace change – both within and beyond the city’s borders. A new book, “Strokes of Genius from Frankfurt” by Manfred Köhler, explores the lives of eleven individuals – six women and five men – whose contributions have shaped the city and the world, revealing a pattern of success rooted in movement, open-mindedness, and prosperity.
The narrative woven throughout Köhler’s work demonstrates that Frankfurt’s influence extends far beyond its geographical boundaries. Consider Heinrich Hoffmann, the Frankfurt doctor who penned “Struwwelpeter,” a children’s book that achieved enduring popularity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Or Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, who, despite only a five-year residency, revolutionized domestic life with her design for the “Frankfurt kitchen,” the precursor to modern fitted kitchens.
These achievements, and others detailed in the book, are often linked to mobility – a physical or intellectual willingness to venture beyond the conventional. Entrepreneur Josef Neckermann, originally from Würzburg, leveraged his mail-order company to democratize consumption, initially contributing to post-Second World War recovery and later offering West Germans the opportunity to explore the world through package tours. Actress Liesel Christ similarly carried the spirit of Frankfurt and the Hesse region to a national audience through her role in the television series “The Hesselbachs.”
Though, the connection between Frankfurt and ingenuity isn’t always about outward expansion. sometiems, it’s about individuals leaving Frankfurt to achieve greatness. Heinrich Nestle, born on Töngesgasse, left after his apprenticeship to develop infant food, while Paul Ehrlich, though born in Strehlen, Silesia, conducted groundbreaking research in Frankfurt that earned him a Nobel Prize. The tradition of open-mindedness continued through the mid-20th century, with Margarete Mitscherlich finding intellectual kinship within the Frankfurt School, a hub of critical thought during the liberal awakening of the 1960s in West Germany. The post-war economic miracle and Frankfurt’s subsequent prosperity were, according to the book, inextricably linked to the liberal economic order championed by figures like Ludwig Erhard, whose ideas found a fertile home in the city.
Köhler’s work suggests that Frankfurt provides exceptional conditions for genius to flourish,but doesn’t guarantee it. A crucial element is the element of chance – being in the right place at the right time with the right idea. The author cites the example of Clara schumann, whose musical talent was nurtured by her father, and bernhard Grzimek’s serendipitous arrival in Frankfurt in 1945, coinciding with a vacant zoo director position. Another example is Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, who approached the challenge of designing a modern kitchen with the dedication of an aerospace engineer.
Throughout the 20th century, Frankfurt consistently positioned itself at the forefront of innovation. From the “New Frankfurt” initiative to the debates sparked by the student revolt and the Frankfurt School – encompassing thinkers like Theodor W. Adorno, max Horkheimer, and Jürgen Habermas – the city fostered groundbreaking discourse.Even the conservative countermovement led by Mayor Walter Wallmann in 1977 emerged earlier in Frankfurt than elsewhere. Ultimately, the portraits of these eleven individuals – spanning centuries and disciplines – demonstrate the breadth of possibilities that Frankfurt has offered. as Köhler concludes,it’s time to “raise the curtain for eleven geniuses and thier pranks.”
“Strokes of Genius from Frankfurt” by Manfred Köhler, published by Verlag Frankfurter Allgemeine Buch, is available for 20 euros (ISBN 978-3-96251-229-3) and offers a compelling exploration of the forces that have shaped a city renowned for its innovation and intellectual vibrancy.
