Thomas Wollstein
Thomas Wollstein began his professional training with the study of chemistry in Düsseldorf, at Heinrich Heine University. After completing his preliminary diploma, he switched to the physics program. There were quite a few interesting specialization subjects, such as neuroinformatics and brain research, which remained his focus for his diploma thesis until the very end. Ultimately, he chose superfluorescence, a solid-state spectroscopic phenomenon observed at temperatures near absolute zero.
His entry into professional life made him a technical standards setter: he was employed at the VDI in Düsseldorf with a joint DIN/VDI committee that dealt with acoustics and noise reduction. Later, cleanroom technology was added. When DIN withdrew its presence in Düsseldorf, he was fortunate to find a connection at VDI with a super-team, where he could also pursue his favorite field, cleanroom technology.
Regarding his family background: Thomas Wollstein has been married for nearly 25 years and has two daughters.
What did you want to become as a child?
According to my mother, my first wish was to become a garbage man. Between then and now, I went through various stages, such as locomotive driver. I seriously considered becoming a lawyer, a translator, or a pharmacist. I ultimately decided on chemistry, and after realizing that physics is the fundamental science, ...
What was your first car?
I agree with Angelo, that Italian from my favorite commercial (Nescafé Capuccino in the 80s): "I don't have a car at all." I bike to the VDI on office days, do my shopping by bike, etc. Avoiding daily traffic jams keeps my nerves intact.
What can you be happy about?
My wife and children, good food, great colleagues, ... many things.
What achievement are you particularly proud of?
That I managed to expand VDI 2083 based on the expertise of many high-ranking experts and wonderful, interesting personalities to the extent that it is now. VDI 2083 has always been the world-leading set of regulations in cleanroom technology and has significantly influenced the contents of ISO 14644, thanks to professionals like Dr. Gail and many others who passionately brought the German perspective into ISO, thereby providing great technical and economic support to the industry.
Which technical achievement do you admire the most?
Actually, it is not a technical achievement. The development of language, which allows very nuanced and multi-channel communication.
Whom would you like to swap places with for a month?
There is no one.
In which country would you like to have a second residence?
In Zeeland, Netherlands.
Who would you like to meet?
I find the idea intriguing of being able to take a time travel and meet myself, to see myself from the outside with current knowledge.
What is your favorite food?
I enjoy cooking, but one of the tastiest things is freshly baked bread straight from the oven.
What is your favorite music?
At the moment, the Wise Guys with their unbeatable songs, both in lyrics and music.
What was the best advice you ever received?
If you take Einstein's saying seriously, that two things could be infinite: the universe and human stupidity (and Einstein was not sure about the universe), then it can only be that you should not get angry but only wonder.
Do you have a motto?
To impose as few limits as possible on thinking!
Dipl.-Phys. Thomas Wollstein
Technology and Science
Association of German Engineers (VDI)
VDI Square 1, D 40468 Düsseldorf
Tel. +49 211 6212500, Fax +49 211 6214177
wollstein@vdi.de www.vdi.de
