In his very personal retrospective, Reinhard Wilhelm recounts the development of the Leibniz Center for Informatics at Schloss Dagstuhl – a place that has become an established institution on the international computer science scene over the decades. He combines the institutional history with his passion for cycling: the trips from Saarbrücken to Dagstuhl serve as a loose red thread through a time full of political negotiations, structural decisions and human encounters.
The essay not only provides insights into the origins and challenges involved in setting up the centre, but also recounts the little anecdotes, surprising twists and turns and the famous “Dagstuhl spirit” that still makes this place special today.
A worthwhile read about idealism, persistence – and the power of good infrastructure, whether on a bicycle or in the world of science.
You can download the book here.
