Oskar Schmiedel
Encyclopedia
Oskar Schmiedel was a pharmacist
, Anthroposophist, therapist, Goethean scientist
and Theosophist.
from the Saxon part of the Erzgebirge mountains. He had a paper factory. Hi mother was Viennese. Oskar did a year of military service and studied chemistry at Munich University after. 1907 he joined the Theosophical Society
. Soon after this he saw and heard Rudolf Steiner
and became his personal pupil after hearing a lecture in Michael Bauer
's house in Nuremberg
. He devoted his whole life to Anthroposophy
. He became involved with the first performance of the Mystery Plays, building scenery and acting as a stage hand. He was in charge of the first groups of eurythmists
that appeared on stage. It was also in Munich that he met his wife.
The couple were called by Rudolf Steiner
in 1914 to help build the Goetheanum
. In a primitive shed he produced vegetable paints for the painting of the domes of the First Goetheanum
. Protective varnish for the woodwork and modeling wax for the designers. The pigments for Dr. Felix Peiper's colour-chamber therapy and medicines for a number of physicians based on information given by Rudolf Steiner.
During the war years he did military service in Innsbruck. Here he had an opportunity for a thorough study of Goethe's theory of color. After the war he devoted himself entirely to producing medicine and made the first misteltoe preparation for Ita Wegman
. He also sold Ritter's photodynamic medicines. Collaboration with Dr. Ludwig Noll led to a series of monographs that always referred back to Rudolf Steiner.
1920 he heard Steiner in a lecture in Basel
say he hoped to speak on the subject of medicine to the members of the medical professin one day. Schmiedel took the initiative and organized a course called the Spiritual Science and Medicine/Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine
course given to 40 mainly homeopathic physicians in Dornach
.
Dr. Otto Palmer established in Stuttgart
, Germany in 1920 a clinic for patients. 1921 Dr. Ita Wegman
established the Institute of Clinical Medicine in Arlesheim
. Further medical courses were given by Steiner in 1921, 1922 and 1923. Soon the Internationale Laboratorien AG (ILAG) came about in Arlesheim
. When the economic enterprise Der Kommende Tag went bankrupt due to inflation, this included the branches in Schwäbisch Gmünd and Stuttgart. Branches were established in Holland, England
, France
, Austria
and the U.S.A.. In 1928 the name officially changed from ILAG to that of 'Weleda
' which Rudolf Steiner had suggested for the English firm.
From 1935 onwards Oskar Schmiedel also had to give more time to the German Weleda, together with Wilhelm Pelikan
, Fritz Goette and Arthur von Zabern. He moved to Stuttgart and later to Schwäbisch Gmünd. After the war Oskar Schmiedel worked on the establishment and development of a number of firms abroad, doing so in Austria
in 1949, where he also explored the places where Rudolf Steiner had lived when young.
In 1951, Oskar Schmiedel returned to Schwäbisch Gmünd, where he ran the Weleda together with Wilhelm Pelikan, Arthur von Zabern and Wilhelm Spiess until he died in his 73rd year. Hans Krueger, Walther Cloos
, Theodor Schwenk
, Alfred Friedrich, Mechthild Werner and others also contributed much to the work. He was particularly interested in all social impulses. He encouraged and supported the Study Sessions, works eurythmy, the Christmas Plays and the Weleda Nachrichten magazine.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
, Anthroposophist, therapist, Goethean scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and Theosophist.
Life
His father came to ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
from the Saxon part of the Erzgebirge mountains. He had a paper factory. Hi mother was Viennese. Oskar did a year of military service and studied chemistry at Munich University after. 1907 he joined the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
. Soon after this he saw and heard Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
and became his personal pupil after hearing a lecture in Michael Bauer
Michael Bauer
Michael Bauer may refer to:* Michael Bauer, a character in Fashion House* Michael Bauer , German artist* Michael Gerard Bauer, Australian author* Michael Bauer , American basketball player* Mike Bauer, tennis player...
's house in Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
. He devoted his whole life to Anthroposophy
Anthroposophy
Anthroposophy, a philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, postulates the existence of an objective, intellectually comprehensible spiritual world accessible to direct experience through inner development...
. He became involved with the first performance of the Mystery Plays, building scenery and acting as a stage hand. He was in charge of the first groups of eurythmists
Eurythmy
Eurythmy is an expressive movement art originated by Rudolf Steiner in conjunction with Marie von Sivers in the early 20th century. Primarily a performance art, it is also used in education — especially in Waldorf schools - and as a movement therapy....
that appeared on stage. It was also in Munich that he met his wife.
The couple were called by Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
in 1914 to help build the Goetheanum
Goetheanum
The Goetheanum, located in Dornach , Switzerland, is the world center for the anthroposophical movement. Named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the center includes two performance halls , gallery and lecture spaces, a library, a bookstore, and administrative spaces for the Anthroposophical...
. In a primitive shed he produced vegetable paints for the painting of the domes of the First Goetheanum
Goetheanum
The Goetheanum, located in Dornach , Switzerland, is the world center for the anthroposophical movement. Named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the center includes two performance halls , gallery and lecture spaces, a library, a bookstore, and administrative spaces for the Anthroposophical...
. Protective varnish for the woodwork and modeling wax for the designers. The pigments for Dr. Felix Peiper's colour-chamber therapy and medicines for a number of physicians based on information given by Rudolf Steiner.
During the war years he did military service in Innsbruck. Here he had an opportunity for a thorough study of Goethe's theory of color. After the war he devoted himself entirely to producing medicine and made the first misteltoe preparation for Ita Wegman
Ita Wegman
Ita Wegman, MD is known as the co-founder of Anthroposophical Medicine with Rudolf Steiner. In 1921, she founded the first anthroposophical medical clinic in Arlesheim, now known as the Ita Wegman Clinic...
. He also sold Ritter's photodynamic medicines. Collaboration with Dr. Ludwig Noll led to a series of monographs that always referred back to Rudolf Steiner.
1920 he heard Steiner in a lecture in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
say he hoped to speak on the subject of medicine to the members of the medical professin one day. Schmiedel took the initiative and organized a course called the Spiritual Science and Medicine/Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine
Anthroposophical Medicine
Anthroposophical medicine is a complementary approach to medicine that integrates the theories and practices of modern medicine with homeopathic medicines, physical and artistic therapies and biographical counseling...
course given to 40 mainly homeopathic physicians in Dornach
Dornach
Dornach is a municipality in the district of Dorneck in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.-History:Dornach is first mentioned in 1223 as de Tornacho. In 1307 it was mentioned as zu Dornach...
.
Dr. Otto Palmer established in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, Germany in 1920 a clinic for patients. 1921 Dr. Ita Wegman
Ita Wegman
Ita Wegman, MD is known as the co-founder of Anthroposophical Medicine with Rudolf Steiner. In 1921, she founded the first anthroposophical medical clinic in Arlesheim, now known as the Ita Wegman Clinic...
established the Institute of Clinical Medicine in Arlesheim
Arlesheim
Arlesheim is a municipality in the district of Arlesheim in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. Its cathedral chapter seat, bishop's residence and cathedral are listed as a heritage site of national significance....
. Further medical courses were given by Steiner in 1921, 1922 and 1923. Soon the Internationale Laboratorien AG (ILAG) came about in Arlesheim
Arlesheim
Arlesheim is a municipality in the district of Arlesheim in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. Its cathedral chapter seat, bishop's residence and cathedral are listed as a heritage site of national significance....
. When the economic enterprise Der Kommende Tag went bankrupt due to inflation, this included the branches in Schwäbisch Gmünd and Stuttgart. Branches were established in Holland, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and the U.S.A.. In 1928 the name officially changed from ILAG to that of 'Weleda
Weleda
Weleda is a multinational company that produces both natural beauty products and natural medicines. Both branches design their products based on anthroposophic principles. The company takes its name from the German form of the name of the 1st century Bructeri völva Veleda. They use plants grown...
' which Rudolf Steiner had suggested for the English firm.
From 1935 onwards Oskar Schmiedel also had to give more time to the German Weleda, together with Wilhelm Pelikan
Wilhelm Pelikan
Wilhelm Pelikan was a chemist, anthroposophist, pharmacist, gardener and anthroposophical medicine practitioner.-Life:...
, Fritz Goette and Arthur von Zabern. He moved to Stuttgart and later to Schwäbisch Gmünd. After the war Oskar Schmiedel worked on the establishment and development of a number of firms abroad, doing so in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in 1949, where he also explored the places where Rudolf Steiner had lived when young.
In 1951, Oskar Schmiedel returned to Schwäbisch Gmünd, where he ran the Weleda together with Wilhelm Pelikan, Arthur von Zabern and Wilhelm Spiess until he died in his 73rd year. Hans Krueger, Walther Cloos
Walther Cloos
Walther Cloos was a pharmacist, alchemist, Anthroposophist, lecturer, researcher, inventor, author and pioneer in anthroposophical pharmacy.-Life:...
, Theodor Schwenk
Theodor Schwenk
Theodor Schwenk was an anthroposophist, an engineer and a pioneering water researcher. He founded the Institute for Flow. Science. Link: http://www.stroemungsinstitut.de/prospect.htm...
, Alfred Friedrich, Mechthild Werner and others also contributed much to the work. He was particularly interested in all social impulses. He encouraged and supported the Study Sessions, works eurythmy, the Christmas Plays and the Weleda Nachrichten magazine.