Top 10 Notable Alumni of Technical University of Berlin (TUB)

With a diverse student body of over 34,000, including many international students, TU Berlin focuses more on research and innovation. The notable alumni list of Technical University of Berlin includes philosophers, chemists, photographers, engineers, and more. 

The Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) is a top public research university located in Germany's capital city. Established in 1879, TU Berlin has a rich history of encouraging student success across various fields, particularly in science and technology. It is recognized as one of the leading technical universities in Europe.

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, TU Berlin is ranked 145th globally, an improvement from its 147th position in 2025. The university offers a wide range of courses in Engineering, Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics, and Culture and Technology, equipping graduates to excel in nearly every discipline.

Many successful people have graduated from TU Berlin, including famous scientists and inventors like Fritz Haber, who won a Nobel Prize in chemistry; Konrad Zuse, who created the first programmable computer; and Wernher von Braun, who was important in rocket science. Explore the top ten notable alumni from the Technical University of Berlin, along with their contributions and achievements.

Top 10 Technical University of Berlin Notable Alumni

Here is the list of the top 10 notable alumni from different corners of the world who have pursued education at the Technical University of Berlin.

1. Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)

The famous Australian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, was born in Vienna, Austria in 1889. Best known for his groundbreaking books Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations, Ludwig initially studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Berlin. 

Later, he shifted his focus to the study of philosophy, where his ideas of analytical philosophy greatly impacted fields like mathematics and artificial intelligence. Wittgenstein also served as a teaching faculty at Cambridge University where he influenced generations of scholars through his philosophical transformation of fields of logic, language, and cognitive science.

2. Fritz Haber (1868–1934)

Well-known for developing the Haber-Bosch process, Fritz Haber was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland) in 1868. His development of the Haber-Bosch process gives a detailed insight into the large-scale synthesis of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen. 

This evolutionary discovery has revolutionized the various fields of agriculture by making fertilizers widely available for global food production. Haber is also known as “the father of chemical warfare” due to his role in developing chemical weapons during World War I. In 1918, Fritz Haber received the prestigious Nobel Prize for his contributions to Chemistry. 

3. Chaim Weizmann (1874–1952)

Chaim Weizmann was born in Motal, Russia (now Belarus) in 1874. Chaim Weizmann studied chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin. Later he completed his doctorate in Switzerland. He became the first President of Israel in 1949. 

Weizmann was widely recognised for his contributions to both science and global diplomacy. His development of acterial fermentation process to produce acetone played a crucial component in explosives during World War I.    

4. Alfred Stieglitz (1864–1946)

Alfred Stieglitz was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA in 1864. He studied engineering at the Technical University of Berlin. However, later shifted to photography to follow his passion. He learned advanced photographic techniques and camera work in Germany. 

Stieglitz is a popular name in modern photography, and his photography skills are recognised as an art form by modern followers. He also worked for the Photo-Secession movement and the influential magazine Camera Work. His gallery, 291, introduced American audiences to artists like Picasso and Matisse, which led him his recognition as a pioneer of photography. 

5. Eugene Wigner (1902–1995)

Eugene Wigner, a famous personality in the field of Physics, was born in Budapest, Hungary. Wigner studied chemical engineering at the Technical University of Berlin, however, later he transitioned to theoretical Physics where he developed multiple theories in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. 

Due to his excellent work in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics, Wigner received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963. His theories on atomic structure and symmetry remain integral to modern physics.

6. Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu (1887–1973)

Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu, one of the world’s first female engineers, studied engineering at the Technical University of Berlin. Leonida Zamfirescu was born in Romania in 1887 and shifted to Berlin for higher studies due to gender-based rejection from Romanian institutions. 

Throughout her career, she worked in geological and industrial engineering, where she played a key role in analyzing and improving the country’s natural resources. She inspired future generations through her continuous fight against gender biases. Her contributions helped shape industrial development in Eastern Europe.

7. Konrad Zuse (1910–1995)

Konrad Zus was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1910. He was globally recognised for designing and building the world’s first programmable computer, the Z3, in 1941. Zuse studied civil engineering at the Technical University of Berlin. His innovation of the first programmable computer, the Z3, laid the foundation for modern computing. 

His contributions became widely acknowledged post-WWII as an influencer of modern digital computing and software engineering. He also developed one of the first high-level programming languages, Plankalkül, which is a popular discovery for modern computing. 

8. Carl Bosch (1874–1940)

Carl Bosch, the developer of the Haber-Bosch process, is popularly known as a leader at BASF and IG Farben. He was born in Cologne, Germany in 1874. He was a student of mechanical engineering and chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin. In 1918, Carl Bosch received the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contributions to industrial-scale chemical synthesis. 

His development of the Haber-Bosch process has helped the field of agriculture by enabling large-scale ammonia production for fertilizers and explosives, which later resulted in high-volume global food production. Additionally, as a leader at BASF and IG Farben, Bosch played a key role in industrial chemistry. 

9. Ursula Franklin (1921–2016)

Ursula Franklin was a leading metallurgist in Canada. She was well-recognised for her work in researching ancient materials and the environmental impact of modern technologies. Apart from her career as a full-time metallurgist, Franklin was a prominent advocate for women’s rights and peace. 

Ursula Franklin was born in Munich, Germany, and studied physics and metallurgy at the Technical University of Berlin. 

Later, she migrated to Canada, where she worked as a metallurgist and influenced a wide range of fields such as archaeology, environmental science, and material engineering. Her book, “The Real World of Technology,” emphasizes analyzing the societal effects of technological advancements.

10. Edward Lasker (1885–1981)

Edward Lasker, known for his dual achievements in the field of mechanical engineering and chess, is internationally known for his achievements in chess. Initially, Lasker studied electrical and mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Berlin. 

Later, he migrated to the United States, where he won multiple American chess championships. His famous book, “Modern Chess Strategy,” is a classical guide for all developing chess champions all over the world. 

Lasker was born in Germany in 1885 and has made great contributions to the invention of mechanical devices, including improvements in oil machinery. He is among the most remarkable intellectual figures in the world due to his dual expertise in chess and mechanical engineering.