German chemist and materials scientist (1868–1912)
Werner von Bolton (8 April 1868 – 28 October 1912) was a German chemist and materials scientist. In 1902 he devised a technique for producing filaments for incandescent light bulbs made of tantalum.
In 1902 von Bolton detected the benefits of using Tantalum as a material in the production of filaments. Tantalum allowed for a greater luminosity with lower energy consumption when compared with previous alternatives such as coal.[1]
In 1905, Siemens & Halske awarded von Bolton the position of director of the first central laboratory of the company, later the Physics and Chemistry laboratory.
After 1910, the bulbs with a tantalum filament were replaced by those with a tungsten filament.
Von Bolton died in Berlin on 28 October 1912. He is honoured with the Boltonstraße, a street named after him in Siemensstadt, an area of Berlin's Spandau district.
