Otto Steinböck facts for kids

Otto Steinböck was an Austrian zoologist who lived from 1893 to 1969. He was very interested in tiny water creatures called turbellarians. He also studied lakes and streams in the Alps.

Otto Steinböck's Life Story

Otto Steinböck was born in Graz, Austria, in 1893. He was one of 11 children. Even though he loved zoology, his father wanted him to study law. So, in 1911, he started studying law after finishing school with great results.

After his first law exam, Otto joined the army in 1913. He served in the mountain artillery for Austria-Hungary. When World War I began, he fought on the Serbian front. He was hurt in 1914. By 1918, he was a lieutenant and a battery commander. He was held captive in Trento, Italy, and came home in October 1919.

Becoming a Zoologist

After finishing his law studies, Otto decided to follow his true passion. In 1920, he began studying natural history, focusing on biology. He earned his doctorate degree in 1923. His main research was about a type of tiny worm called "Prorhynchidae (Turbellaria Alloeocoela)". These small worms, called turbellarians, remained his main interest throughout his life.

From 1923 to 1927, Otto did not have a job. However, he kept working on his scientific studies at the Zoological Institute in Graz. In 1925, he married Gisela von Chiapo. She was a language teacher and helped support them financially.

In July 1927, Otto became qualified in zoology because of his published scientific work. On October 1, 1927, he became an assistant at the Zoological Institute of the University of Innsbruck. After two years, he was promoted to associate professor in 1930. In 1931, he became a full professor of zoology and the director of the Institute.

World War II and Later Life

When World War II started, Otto had to join the army again. He led a mountain artillery battery on the western front. He was promoted to captain and received two awards. He was released from service in August 1940 and returned to the Institute.

From 1941 until the war ended, Otto held an important role at the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He tried to help his colleagues who faced difficulties during those times. After the war, he was dismissed from his position. In 1947, this was changed to retirement, which made it hard for him to continue his scientific work.

However, his colleagues at the university strongly supported him. They insisted he be given his job back. In November 1950, he was officially reinstated. He was reappointed as a professor in February 1951. Otto retired in 1963 as an emeritus professor. He passed away on October 6, 1969, in Innsbruck.

Otto Steinböck's Scientific Work

Most of Otto Steinböck's scientific work focused on the anatomy (body structure) of turbellarians. These are small, flat worms that live in water. He studied how their bodies were built.

He also published many studies about the biology of lakes and streams. These studies were done in the beautiful Alps mountains. He explored the tiny creatures and plants living in these freshwater environments.