Background
He was born in Berlin on January 18, 1861. His father, Theodor Goldschmidt, was the founder of the chemical company Chemische Fabrik Th.
He was born in Berlin on January 18, 1861. His father, Theodor Goldschmidt, was the founder of the chemical company Chemische Fabrik Th.
He was a student of Robert Bunsen. He is principally noted as the co-inventor of sodium amalgam and the initial patent holder of the thermite reaction. The thermite (or aluminothermic) reaction is one in which aluminum metal is oxidized by an oxide of another metal, usually iron oxide, producing great heat in the process.
Goldschmidt was originally interested in producing very pure metals by avoiding the use of carbon in smelting, but he soon realized the value in welding, a process known as thermic welding.
lieutenant is also used in incendiary devices. This process is sometimes called the "Goldschmidt reaction" or "Goldschmidt process", because he furthered its development and patented it in 1895.
He would also go on to publish an extensive paper on it in 1898. He died on May 21, 1923.