1880-1952

German physicist and engineer who developed acoustic methods of detection and distance measurement for ships and aircraft. Originally a teacher of technical physics, Behm was motivated by the Titanic disaster in 1912 to invent an early form of sonar, which was of wide scientific and military interest after the use of submarines in World War I. In 1920 he began manufacturing the first practical "echo-location" systems in Kiel, where he also founded a related scientific society.