He graduated from the Budapest University of Technology in 1877. In 1882 he was an industrial supervisor, in 1886 he was a private teacher at the Budapest University of Technology. In 1891 he was professor of mechanical technology and the rector of the university. He organized – partly with his own machines and instruments – the material testing laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Technology of the Budapest University of Technology, the Association of Hungarian Materials Testers; and started and edited its bulletin. His general theory of the behavior of structural materials aroused great interest and much debate. His work as a professor, researcher and, as the first industry supervisorwas particularly successful in the development of the textile industry. He has also been active in the International Association of Materials Testers; at its 1912 New York Congress he served as Honorary President.