Theodor Kaluza (Oppeln, now the Polish Opole), November 9, 1885 - Göttingen, January 19, 1954) was a German mathematician.
Kaluza made an important contribution to theoretical physics in 1919 by combining Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism with Einstein's theory of gravity into one comprehensive theory. By entering a fifth dimension (in addition to the already known four space-time) dimensions), both theories could be united. The Swedish mathematician Oskar Klein could later explain the invisibility of the fifth dimension by assuming that this dimension was "rolled up" to a very small extent. Since then, this theory goes through life under the name of Kaluza-Klein Theory.
Kaluza was already very interested in mathematics and was studying at the University of Königsberg further. He obtained the right to teach German universities (Habilitation) in 1911 and became Privatdozent, a position that did not bring too much income. His grades were not highly rated by the University's staff, so he did not receive a paid job at the University.
When Albert Einstein received a letter from him in 1919, explaining his new theory, he was very enthusiastic. Einstein encouraged him to publish his original ideas, which happened in 1921. Due to Einstein's insistence, Kaluza was appointed professor in Kiel. In 1935, his appointment as professor at the University of Göttingen followed. Just before his emergency he died.
Due to the rise of quantum mechanics, the interest in Kaluza and Klein's ideas quickly blew. For a long time, the fifth dimension was seen as a mathematical trick, without physical significance. Since the rise of string theory, the Kaluza-Klein theory is again highly current.
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