Luminometer development in the last four decades: recollections of two entrepreneurs

Abstract

Authors' biographiesFritz Berthold studied and graduated with a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at the University of Freiburg, Germany, followed by post-doctoral research at the High Energy Physics Laboratory at Stanford University. After taking over Laboratorium Prof. Berthold in Wildbad (today Berthold Technologies), he designed nuclear instrumentation for applications in biochemistry, diagnostics and radiation protection, as well as optical instruments for luminescence and fl uorescence measurement.Veikko Tarkkanen studied up to his graduation in chemical engineering at the Technical College of Gothenburg, Sweden. After a shorter period in pharmaceutical research he established and headed a chemical division of Packard Instruments in The Netherlands. He was CEO and main shareholder of Lumac and Concell, followed by a managerial position in Celsis -in The Netherlands and Germany. He is author of various patents in the fi eld of luminescence and in measurement of radioactivity.

Chemiluminescence and bioluminescence history – early advertising materials

“…The history of these two branches of luminescence has been described in a number of texts and reviews . Also, several papers in this journal have provided a perspective on the early history of luminometer development and commercialization , and luminescence measuring equipment .…”