BARLAI, Béla
(NEUHERTZ since 1904)
* 2. 10. 1870, Mosonszolnok, Hungary
† 20. 11. 1921, Budapest, Hungary
Mountain scientist, metallurgical engineer
In 1896 B. finished his studies of forestry and ironwork industry in Banská Štiavnica and gained the title of metallurgical engineer. He carried out his practice in ironworks Krompachy, Reşiţa and Cugir (Romania). In 1902 he received a doctorate in chemistry at the University of Cluj.
From 1901 he held the Chair of Iron Metallurgy at the Mining and Forestry College in Banská Štiavnica (since 1904 the Academy), at first as a full professor and from 1906 as a mining councilor. In the years between 1912 and 1914 he held the position of Chancellor.
B. consistently advocated for delivering practical teaching justified by scientific evidence. On his initiative the iron laboratory was established in Banská Štiavnica between 1906 and 1908. The period of his activity at the Mining and Forestry College also marks the growing emphasis on physical chemistry and iron metallurgy.
Between 1904 and 1911 B. made a number of study trips, where he studied the most important ironworks in Europe and the USA. In addition to technical and technological issues, he focused also on the economic aspects of the iron manufacture.
He wrote a textbook on ironwork industry, published in 1909 and 1912 in Banská Štiavnica. Even after his death this textbook served as an excellent professional guide for many generations of iron technicians. His extensive economic study of iron ore supply in Hungary is also noteworthy.
