How a corporate leader's passion for ancient marine creatures transformed our understanding of prehistoric oceans
What does the development of pharmaceutical drugs have to do with the study of ancient fossil creatures? In the remarkable life of Hans Hess (1930-2017), these two seemingly unrelated fields combined to create one of palaeontology's most inspiring stories. While building a successful corporate career as a pharmaceutical executive, Hess simultaneously pursued a lifelong passion for fossil echinoderms—the group including sea stars, sea urchins, and crinoids—eventually becoming one of the world's leading experts on these ancient marine animals. His journey demonstrates how scientific curiosity pursued as a passionate avocation can yield extraordinary contributions to our understanding of Earth's deep history.
Hess's story defies the conventional boundaries of scientific specialization. By day, he served as head of the Pharmaceutical Development Division and executive board member at Ciba-Geigy AG, where he authored 43 pharmaceutical publications and secured five patents. During his spare time, however, he transformed into a dedicated volunteer at the Natural History Museum of Basel, conducting groundbreaking research on fossil echinoderms that would earn him international recognition in palaeontological circles 1 . This dual pursuit wasn't merely a hobby—it represented the fulfillment of a passion that began when he first started collecting fossils as a schoolboy, eventually leading to publications that remain standard references in the field decades later 1 .
What makes Hess's contributions particularly remarkable is that he achieved this scientific impact as a self-taught palaeontologist, bringing fresh perspectives from his pharmaceutical background to the meticulous study of ancient life. His work exemplifies how diverse experiences and interdisciplinary approaches can enrich scientific understanding, revealing patterns and connections that might escape those working within traditional academic silos.
Hans Hess's professional journey reflects an extraordinary balance between corporate responsibility and scientific passion. Born in Basel on June 25, 1930, he graduated in pharmacology from the University of Basel in 1955, completing his doctoral thesis in 1958 on a microbiological topic 1 . He joined the pharmaceutical company CIBA (later Ciba-Geigy) in 1958, where he introduced novel methods in pharmaceutical dosage forms and eventually led the Pharmaceutical Development Division 1 .
While building this successful corporate career, Hess maintained his childhood fascination with fossils. His first scientific publication—describing a stemless crinoid species—appeared when he was just 21 years old 1 . This early start marked the beginning of a research trajectory that would span over six decades, resulting in more than 100 publications on fossil echinoderms 1 4 .
| Year | Publication | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | First description of Paracomatula helvetica | His first publication at age 21 1 |
| 1975 | Die fossilen Echinodermen des Schweizer Juras | Landmark book still used for fossil identification 1 |
| 1999 | Fossil Crinoids (co-authored/edited) | Comprehensive reference with international collaborators 1 |
| 2011 | Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (with Messing) | Authoritative classification of Mesozoic-Cenozoic Articulata 1 |
What set Hess apart was his ability to excel in both domains simultaneously without allowing either to diminish. Colleagues noted his remarkable talent, energy, and persistence in accomplishing these parallel careers 1 . Even during his demanding corporate years, Hess maintained a steady output of palaeontological research, building an international reputation while working primarily as a volunteer researcher without formal academic appointment.
His approach to palaeontology reflected the methodical precision of his pharmaceutical background. He maintained long-term collaborations, most notably with scientific illustrator Otto Garraux, which lasted from 1955 to 1981 and was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation 1 . This partnership produced the exquisite illustrations that became a hallmark of Hess's publications, allowing readers to appreciate the delicate morphological details of the fossils he studied.
Hess's most significant contribution to palaeontology lay in his innovative methodologies for studying fragmentary echinoderm remains. While many researchers of his era focused on spectacular complete specimens, Hess recognized that countless scientific treasures lay hidden in what others overlooked—loose sedimentary deposits containing dispersed echinoderm fragments.
Early in his research career, Hess made a crucial observation that would define his approach for decades. While he initially described articulated ophiuroid (brittle star) specimens from various European locations, he soon realized that far richer material could be obtained by processing large amounts of weakly consolidated sediments 1 .
This insight led him to launch a research program that would last almost 15 years and result in seven major publications based on painstaking analysis of countless sediment samples 1 .
This methodological innovation represented a paradigm shift in how palaeontologists could approach fossil echinoderm research. By focusing on sediment processing rather than solely seeking complete specimens, Hess opened a window into ancient ecosystems that would otherwise remain invisible. His technique involved washing and sieving sedimentary deposits, then meticulously picking through the residues under magnification to isolate individual echinoderm ossicles—the skeletal elements that make up echinoderm bodies.
| Research Focus | Key Contributions | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Jurassic crinoids of Switzerland | Documented diversity and morphology; built world-class collection 1 | 1950s-2010s |
| Bajocian Hauptrogenstein Formation | Studied highly diverse echinoderm fauna; multiple publications 1 | 1950s-2010s |
| Fossil ophiuroids (brittle stars) | Developed sediment processing techniques; 7 major publications 1 | 1960s-1970s |
| Cyrtocrinid crinoids | Explored emergence and early radiation of this group 2 | 2010s |
| Comatulid crinoids (unstalked) | Investigated origin and radiation in Jurassic 1 | 1990s-2010s |
One geological formation remained in Hess's focus throughout his career: the Bajocian Hauptrogenstein Formation and adjoining Klingnau Formation 1 . These Jurassic deposits, exposed in various Swiss localities, contained fossil beds often completely dominated by crinoids, sometimes preserving highly diverse echinoderm faunas. The material from these formations alone fills 125 drawers in the Natural History Museum of Basel's echinoderm collection, plus another 10 drawers in Hess's personal reference collections 1 , testament to the incredible productivity of his sampling approach.
Among Hess's many research projects, his work on the Pliensbachian crinoids of Arzo stands out as particularly representative of his innovative methodology and scientific impact. This research, published in 2006, exemplified his approach of reconstructing entire ecosystems from disarticulated remains, revealing biodiversity invisible to collectors seeking only complete specimens.
Hess's Arzo research followed a meticulous step-by-step process that mirrored the precision of his pharmaceutical work:
Hess gathered large quantities of weakly consolidated sedimentary rock from the Pliensbachian deposits near Arzo, Switzerland 1 .
The sediments were processed through careful washing and sieving to break down the matrix and concentrate the fossil content 1 .
Under magnification, Hess picked through the sediment residues to isolate individual crinoid ossicles—the individual skeletal elements that compose crinoid bodies 1 .
Using his extensive knowledge of crinoid anatomy, Hess carefully studied the morphological features of each ossicle to identify distinguishing characteristics at the species level 1 .
By comparing these isolated elements with both complete specimens and other disarticulated material, Hess determined which species were present in the assemblage 1 .
By analyzing the relative abundance of different species and their ecological characteristics, Hess reconstructed aspects of the original Jurassic marine ecosystem 1 .
The results of this painstaking work were staggering. From nearly 30,000 isolated crinoid ossicles, Hess reconstructed an astonishing 30 crinoid species, of which 16 were new to science 1 . This single study dramatically expanded our understanding of Jurassic crinoid diversity, revealing an ecosystem far richer than what could be deduced from complete specimens alone.
| Metric | Finding | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Isolated ossicles studied | Nearly 30,000 | Demonstrated power of statistical approach 1 |
| Crinoid species identified | 30 | Revealed high diversity in Jurassic ecosystem 1 |
| New species discovered | 16 | Substantial expansion of known crinoid diversity 1 |
| Research duration | Several years | Highlighted methodological patience and persistence 1 |
The Arzo study exemplified Hess's unwavering patience and methodological innovation. While many palaeontologists might have overlooked these sedimentary deposits in favor of sites yielding more spectacular complete specimens, Hess recognized that true scientific understanding often requires looking beyond the obvious to extract data from more challenging sources.
His approach allowed him to address fundamental questions about evolutionary history and ecological dynamics in Jurassic seas. By documenting patterns of species richness and relative abundance, Hess provided crucial data for understanding how marine ecosystems responded to environmental changes over deep time—a perspective particularly relevant today as scientists seek to understand how modern ecosystems might respond to ongoing environmental changes.
Hess's research relied on both specialized techniques and common scientific tools adapted for palaeontological inquiry. His work demonstrates how methodological innovation often involves applying existing tools in novel ways to solve research challenges.
| Tool/Technique | Function in Research | Application in Hess's Work |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment processing | Concentration of fossil material | Washing and sieving sediments to isolate microfossils 1 |
| Microscopy | Examination of small specimens | Studying fine details of ossicles for identification 1 |
| Scientific illustration | Documentation of morphology | Long-term collaboration with Otto Garraux 1 |
| Comparative collections | Reference for identification | Assembled one of world's finest Jurassic crinoid collections 1 |
| Taxonomic methodology | Classification and naming | Developed new species and revised classifications 1 |
Hess's scientific illustrations deserve particular emphasis. His long-standing collaboration with illustrator Otto Garraux produced meticulously accurate drawings that captured essential morphological details of the fossils he studied. These illustrations became crucial for both identification and publication, allowing other researchers to visualize key characteristics even when they couldn't examine the actual specimens.
Similarly, Hess's dedication to building reference collections established an essential resource for ongoing research. His personal collection of Jurassic crinoids, eventually housed at the Natural History Museum of Basel, is considered one of the finest in the world 1 . This collection continues to serve researchers studying fossil echinoderms, extending Hess's scientific impact far beyond his own publications.
Hans Hess's legacy extends far beyond his individual discoveries. Despite his status as a self-taught palaeontologist working primarily as a volunteer, he earned significant recognition from the scientific establishment, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel in 1988 1 . Later honors included the Bloomer Award from the Linnean Society (2001) and the Harrell L. Strimple Award from the Paleontological Society (2002) 1 .
Awarded by University of Basel in 1988 1
From the Linnean Society in 2001 1
From the Paleontological Society in 2002 1
Perhaps his most enduring contribution lies in his work on the "Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology", the definitive reference work in the field. Hess co-authored the volume on crinoids with Charles Messing, with Messing acknowledging that Hess "did the vast lion's share of the work" 1 . This comprehensive work, classifying all known genera of Mesozoic-Cenozoic Articulata on 261 pages with illustrations of type species, represents a monumental synthesis that will guide crinoid researchers for generations 1 .
First publications on fossil echinoderms; begins collaboration with illustrator Otto Garraux 1
Develops sediment processing methodology; publishes extensively on ophiuroids 1
Publishes landmark book Die fossilen Echinodermen des Schweizer Juras 1
Receives honorary doctorate from University of Basel 1
Co-authors/edits Fossil Crinoids with international collaborators 1
Maintains impressive output of almost two papers per year; focuses on pelagic crinoids and cyrtocrinid radiation 1 2
Co-authors crinoid volume of Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology with Charles Messing 1
Even in his final years, Hess maintained an impressive research output, publishing almost two papers per year from 2000 until 2017 1 . His later work increasingly focused on pelagic crinoids 1 and the early radiation of cyrtocrinids 2 , demonstrating his continued engagement with cutting-edge research questions well into his eighties.
Hess's dual career path offers an inspiring model for how scientific passion can flourish outside traditional academic structures. His story demonstrates that major contributions to knowledge need not follow conventional pathways, and that diverse experiences can bring valuable perspectives to scientific inquiry.
Through his methodological innovations, taxonomic revisions, and comprehensive syntheses, Hans Hess fundamentally expanded our understanding of ancient marine ecosystems and the evolutionary history of some of their most beautiful inhabitants—ensuring that his "lifelong passion for echinoderms" will continue to inspire both professional palaeontologists and amateur enthusiasts for generations to come.