# Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug

> 1933-1945 glider manufacturer

**Wikidata**: [Q513834](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q513834)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Forschungsanstalt_für_Segelflug)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/deutsche-forschungsanstalt-fur-segelflug

## Summary
The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS) was a German research institute and glider manufacturer operational between 1933 and 1945. Headquartered in Darmstadt and dedicated to the field of sailplane development, the organization was led by director Walter Georgii. It is classified formally as a research institute and organization distinct from standard corporate manufacturers due to its primary purpose of generating new knowledge through systematic investigation.

## Key Facts
*   **Inception:** 1933
*   **Dissolution:** 1945
*   **Headquarters:** Darmstadt, Germany
*   **Director/Manager:** Walter Georgii
*   **Short Name:** DFS
*   **Instance of:** Research institute, Organization
*   **Field of Work:** Sailplane
*   **VIAF ID:** 131366023
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n82012108
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/02bvr0
*   **Aliases:** German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight, German Institute for Glider Research, Institut allemand de recherche pour le vol a voile
*   **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in 12 languages (ar, ca, de, en, es, fr, it, ja, pl, pt, ru, sv)

## FAQs
### What was the primary purpose of the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug?
The organization functioned as a research institute dedicated to the field of sailplanes. Unlike commercial companies that might pursue research for profit, the DFS existed specifically to generate new knowledge and conduct systematic investigation into glider technology.

### Who led the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug?
Walter Georgii served as the director and manager of the institute. His leadership is documented in German historical records and linked via Wikidata references.

### Where was the organization based?
The headquarters for the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug were located in Darmstadt, Germany.

### Is the DFS still active?
No, the organization was active only for a specific historical period. It was established in 1933 and was dissolved, abolished, or demolished in 1945.

## Why It Matters
The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug represents a critical, albeit temporally limited, era in aviation history where research and manufacturing were consolidated under a specialized institute. As an entity classified specifically as a "research institute," it differed from standard industrial manufacturers by focusing on the systematic generation of knowledge regarding sailplane dynamics rather than solely on production. This distinction placed it among organizations that serve as dedicated engines of discovery, concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation. During its operation, the DFS contributed to the advancement of glider technology, a field that requires precise aerodynamic understanding. Its existence highlights the historical importance of specialized aeronautical research bodies in Germany during the early 20th century.

## Notable For
*   **Specialized Research Focus:** Dedicated exclusively to sailplane research, distinguishing it from general aviation manufacturers.
*   **Historical Specificity:** Operized exclusively during the 1933–1945 period, serving as a distinct historical marker for pre-war and wartime aviation research.
*   **Organizational Classification:** Classified as a "research institute" rather than a standard company, indicating a primary mission of scientific inquiry.
*   **Global Documentation:** Recognized globally with Wikipedia entries in 12 languages and cataloged in major library systems like the Library of Congress and the German National Library.
*   **Memorialization:** Possesses a dedicated Commons category ("Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug memorial"), indicating physical or cultural commemoration of its site or history.

## Body

### Organizational Identity and Classification
The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS) is formally classified as a research institute and an organization. In the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions, it fits the definition of an entity that exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. Unlike universities, which balance teaching and research, or commercial entities that research for immediate commercial ends, the DFS operated as a dedicated research body. It is distinct from scientific societies (which are membership-based) and think tanks (which focus on policy).

### Operational History
The institute's lifespan was defined by the turbulent mid-20th century. It was founded in **1933** and ceased operations in **1945**. This 12-year period marks the entirety of its active existence, during which it engaged in the manufacture and study of gliders.

### Leadership and Location
The institute was managed by **Walter Georgii**, who served as its director. Administrative and operational headquarters were situated in **Darmstadt**, Germany. This location placed the institute within a significant hub of German engineering and research.

### Field of Work: Sailplanes
The core mandate of the DFS was the **sailplane**. This focus encompassed both the theoretical research and the practical manufacturing of gliders. The Wikidata description explicitly identifies the entity as a "1933-1945 glider manufacturer," confirming that its research output included the physical production of aircraft.

### Digital and Library Cataloging
The DFS is extensively cataloged across multiple knowledge management systems, reflecting its historical significance.
*   **Identifiers:** It holds the Library of Congress Authority ID **n82012108** and the VIAF ID **131366023**.
*   **Digital Footprint:** It is listed under the Freebase ID **/m/02bvr0**.
*   **Logo:** The organization's logo is archived and accessible via Wikimedia Commons.

### Global Recognition
The entity has a broad linguistic footprint, indicating international relevance. It has sitelinks across 12 Wikipedia language editions, including Arabic, Catalan, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish. The main subject category for the organization on Wikimedia Commons is "Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug memorial."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013