F. Běhounek´s memorial plaque was revealed

26. 11. 2018

Memorial plaque of a prominent scientist, arctic explorer and writer Dr. František Běhounek was revealed on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth on the building of DRD (department of radiation dosimetry) NPI at the Bulovka Hospital complex on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

Revelation was happened with the participation of DRD head Dr. Marie Davídková, scientific secretary of the NPI Dr. Vladimír Wagner and DRD scientist Dr. Ondřej Ploc, who initiated this event. The event was also supported by the Czech Academy od Sciences (Strategy AV21).

Event with three dozen participants from the NPI, other scientific institutions and witnesses of Běhounek´s life and work was started by V. Wagner, who spoke about his relationship with Běhounek's professional and popularization work and his books.

There was followed by a commented tour across DRD, including the former Behounek's office, and an acquaintance with the current work of DRD and its equipment. Another part of the program were two lectures: O. Ploc spoke on the theme Trip to the history of cosmic radiation, and I. Ambrožová spoke on DRD´s cosmic radiation research today and tomorrow. The final part of the event included the showing of documentary films about the visit of famous scientist Marie Curie-Sklodowska to first Czechoslovak president T. G. Masaryk, with the participation of F. Běhounek, about the Jáchymov Radon Spa, and especially the more-than-hourly documentary film by Vladimir Kabelik from 1968 year, using archive materials, on the Nobile´s airship Italia and its wreckage: By airship to the North Pole.

The memorial plaque is located at the entrance to the building, which was established from Běhounek´s suggestion as a radiological dosimetry department of the former Nuclear Research Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences,which was led by Behounek from 1961 year until his death. In addition to the NPI brochure and other materials, the participants also received a wooden tourist stamp with Behounek´s portrait.