====== Straumann, Reinhard ======
**Reinhard Straumann** (November 3, 1892-October 2, 1967) was a Swiss engineer and entrepreneur noted for developing the [[Nivarox]] [[hairspring]] alloy.

===== Biography =====
Reinhard Straumann was born in [[Beniwill]] near [[Waldenburg]] in Northwest Switzerland. He studied watchmaking in [[Le Locle]] from [[1908]] to [[1912]] and mechanical engineering in [[Lausanne]] until [[1916]].

In [[1916]], Straumann joined [[Revue Thommen|Thommens Uhrenfabrik]], Waldenburg's prominent watch factory. Straumann rose to become technical director of the factory, which was managed by his cousin, [[Straumann, Hermann|Doctor Hermann Straumann]] from [[1932]].

Straumann studied materials science in his spare time, working in a laboratory in Waldenburg. In [[1931]], he collaborated with the German materials firm [[Heraeus]] to create a new hairspring material that would not change in elasticity due to changes in ambient temperature. The resulting material, an alloy of nickel, iron, and other metals, was particularly valuable in the production of hairsprings and balance wheels. Named [[Nivarox]], it was resistant to fracture, corrosion, and magnetism and was perfected in [[1933]] and patented in [[1935]].

Straumann left Thommen in [[1934]] and founded [[Nivarox SA]] in [[Saint-Imier]] that year. The company would merge with [[Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunis|Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunis (FAR)]] of [[Le Locle]] in [[1984]] and remains one of the most valuable components of the [[Swatch Group]].

After the death of his father in law, Fritz Heid, Straumann became director of [[Tschudin + Heid|Tschudin + Heid AG]], a watch component producer in Waldenburg. He continued working to create new materials in a laboratory there, and patented a new [[mainspring]] material, [[Nivaflex]], in [[1948]]. He founded another company in [[Saint-Imier]] to develop this material, [[Nivaflex SA]], in [[1948]].

Straumann's Waldenburg research laboratory became **Institute Dr. Ing. Reinhard Straumann** in [[1954]], with research continuing on new materials. The institute focused on areas of interest to Straumann, chiefly ski flying, watch materials, and test equipment. The company would be renamed **Straumann AG** in [[1990]] and would focus on development of dental implants.


{{tag>Biographies Waldenburg}}