Herbert Morawetz

Figure 3 – Herbert Morawitz Teaching at Poly (“Distinguished Lecture Series”)

Herbert Morawetz was born on October 16, 1915, in Prague, Czech Republic, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. His family owned a textile factory called Upice Flax and Jute Works Limited in a small town on the northeastern border of Bohemia (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986). He spent his childhood in this small town and later moved to Prague for high school, as the town did not have one. As the oldest son, he was expected to take part in managing the factory, which led him to return to the small town after his studies. In 1935, he spent a year in Belfast, Northern Ireland, learning about textile machinery operations before returning in 1936. He remained in the small town until the German occupation on March 15, 1939. In a 1986 interview with James Bohning, Morawetz described his experience fleeing Nazi persecution due to his Jewish heritage (Figure 4).

Figure 4 – Herbert Morawetz Quote from Interview. (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986)

To escape, he needed both a visa and a German exit permit. Through a friendship of his aunt’s with the Polish ambassador, he managed to secure a Polish visa. A German director at the textile factory, loyal to his family, then helped him convince German authorities that his travel to Poland was essential for purchasing flax to maintain factory operations, allowing him to obtain the exit permit. While the rest of his family secured French visas, this arrangement initially separated him from them (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986).

After reaching Poland, he feared being sent back due to the fascist-leaning Polish government at the time. By sheer coincidence, he encountered the French ambassador in Warsaw, who had previously been stationed in Prague and knew his parents well. With the ambassador’s help, Morawetz secured a French visa and reunited with his family in France. From there, they traveled together to England (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986).

Initially, Morawetz intended to do his studies in England, but with the outbreak of war, English universities stopped accepting foreign students (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986). As a result, he ultimately joined his family in Canada, where he began his studies in 1939. He earned a B.A.Sc. in 1943 and an M.A.Sc. in 1944 in chemical engineering at the University of Toronto (“Biographical - Sketches,” 1985-2005). He later pursued a Ph.D. in chemistry at Poly, completing it in 1950.

Morawetz began his academic career at Poly, becoming an Assistant Professor in 1951, an Associate Professor in 1953, and a full Professor in 1958. From 1971 to 1981, he served as the Director of the Polymer Research Institute. In 1971, he was also named Institute Professor, a title he held until 1986, when he became Institute Professor Emeritus (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986).

The aforementioned provides the broader context of Herbert Morawetz’s journey from Europe to the United States, his arrival at Poly, and the career he built there. In the same 1986 interview with James Bohning mentioned earlier, Morawetz reflected on the sentiments he and his family shared before fleeing. When asked, “Did you have any particular feelings about how the political climate changed in the late Thirties?” Morawetz responded (Figure 5): “We were passionately interested in political developments. Every time there was an election in Germany, we stayed out until late at night to see how things were going. It was very terrifying: we were intensely proud of the fact that our small country seemed to be the most determined barrier to this new barbarism. We were all very patriotic; we resented it very much if someone suggested that we should leave the country. My father would have never left if he hadn’t actually seen the German Nazi troops in Prague.”

Figure 5 – Herbert Morawetz Quote from Interview. (“Morawetz Interview by James Bohning,” 1986)

        This excerpt clearly illustrates the tense and precarious atmosphere for Herbert Morawetz and his family even before Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. Despite the looming danger, it is striking how patriotic they remained—choosing to stay, stand by their country, and uphold their family business. Yet, the immense fear of Nazi persecution became undeniable when they fled immediately after Nazi troops reached Prague, reinforcing what Morawetz previously mentioned in Figure 3. It is difficult to fathom such an experience today. Imagine waking up one morning to find that you and your entire family must flee your home, leaving everything behind for an unfamiliar place, uncertain if you will ever return. It is terrifying.

The Herbert Morawetz Collection does not contain any information about his adaptation to Poly—whether he felt at home or found peace after his unique journey. I like to think that he did. While this is not confirmed by archival material, one can assume that working alongside other European scientists who shared similar experiences must have been reassuring. One notable figure was Herman Mark, with whom Morawetz collaborated in the Polymeric Materials program. Mark had arrived at Poly much earlier but had endured a similar journey. Below is an image (Figure 6) featuring both of them: Herman Mark on the left, Herbert Morawetz on the right, and Murray Goodman, a fellow polymer science professor, in the middle.

Figure 6 – Picture (Correspondence & Materials - Lectures and Conferences, 1957-2006, inclusive)