Side effects

One of his pupils

Bach had many famous pupils. One example is Franz Lappe, whose work on high-pressure chemical engineering was a major contribution towards being able to conduct ammonia synthesis based on the Haber-Bosch process.

Bach would have liked to keep him as senior engineer in his engineering laboratory, but Lappe wanted to engage in practical work. After being given a special recommendation by Bach, he started work in the Baden Aniline and Soda Factory (BASF) in 1907. He became a close colleague of Carl Bosch (Robert Bosch's nephew), whose task it was to transfer the synthesis of ammonia from the laboratory to large scale plants. Carl Bosch was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1931 for completing this achievement. Carl Bosch explicitly highlighted Franz Lappe's achievements at the end of his Nobel lecture:

"It scarcely need be added that this achievement has only been made possible by a large staff of colleagues. It is probably true to assert that such numbers have never before been engaged on one single problem. I sincerely wish to mention in particular two colleagues present here to-day who threw themselves heart and soul into our work from the very outset, namely Dr. Mittasch, head of the scientific laboratory, and Dr. Lappe who was in charge of technical development. To them I would like to acknowledge now my gratitude for their unstinting, loyal co-operation."

(Carl Bosch: The development of the chemical high pressure method during the establishment of the new ammonia industry. Nobel Lecture, May 21, 1932.)