DÉRER, Michael
* 18. 1. 1847, Háj, Slovakia
† 22. 10. 1915, Budapest, Hungary
Mountain scientist
Between 1867 and 1871 D. studied mining and metallurgy at the Academy of Mining and Forestry in Banská Štiavnica. He started his career as an assistant in the Department of Metallurgy at the Academy in Banská Štiavnica. From 1873 on he was a teacher in a mining school. Among other things he published several books and manuals on the new metric system (1875) and testing of minerals and metals (1879). These books were the first such publications in Hungary. As a teacher he produced a thorough plan for the reorganization of the Hungarian mining schools. In 1888 he shifted to the field of metallurgical practice. He held several management functions in the state metallurgical plants in Podbrezová, Ľubietova and Hunedoara (Romania). In 1880s in Hronec he improved manufacturing technique of enamelled containers and in conjunction with the introduction of manufacturing pipe in Podbrezová developed and patented the production of calibration cylinders with hard surface and in 1894/95 introduced production of steel springs. In 1900 he took the post at Ministry of finance in Budapest at the Department of iron industry. In 1903 he received the title of Chief Advisor on mines for his merits in the development of iron in Hungary and became Chief Inspector in the State ironworks in 1906. In a number of contributions in journals of mountain science D. dealt with the steel industry, metallurgy, foundry, energy technology, mining and geology, as well as the education of miners and metallurgists until the end of his life.
