Wilhelm Meiners and his colleagues at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology in Aachen, Germany, are one group working to extend the technology to print reconstructive facial plates and even load-bearing artificial joints, such as hips, which could be customised for each patient.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

Wilhelm, who earned his degree in mechanical engineering and had a passion for sharing how to do unusual experiments.

FORBES: eBook Evolutions: Instructables

The first-ever Nobel prize in physics was awarded to Wilhelm Roentgen of Germany for his discovery of X-rays, and with this year's winners the total number of recipients has reached 194.

BBC: Serge Haroche and David Wineland

One reasonably well-substantiated story suggests that the path to World War I may have started in 1895, when Edward VII punched his nephew (and fellow Squadron member) Kaiser Wilhelm in the nose, after the Kaiser had ridiculed him over a rowing race to the club's pier.

FORBES: Old Gaffers

He says that the sale reflects the advice of the executors of the will of his great-grandfather, the last German crown prince, Wilhelm (1852-1951).

WSJ: The Beau Sancy Diamond at Sotheby's: From Prussia, With Love