Curiosity

Summary

The feeling of curiosity can be perceived as an emotion linked to a modern era in which people were in the process of transcending borders and discovering new continents as well as new ways of living and thinking, becoming thus the godmother to modern science. Especially from the nineteenth century on, many Germans identified curiosity as the most vital prerequisite for strengthening the country’s position as a leader in education and science, and many efforts were made to educate mainly the sons of the upper-middle classes. This chapter examines how this initially led to a gender gap, favouring inquisitive boys and rejecting nosy girls. The socialist workers’ movement, in particular, that promised its members a better material and social position through education actively participated in initiatives to popularize science. While in the Weimar era the fight for equality in education was slowly transferred to women and girls, the ‘Third Reich’ and the GDR subsidized travel to recognize ‘top workers’ and motivate others to perform better. Curiosity nurtured in this and other ways inspired more and more people to cross boundaries and get to know the world as we see it today.