The historical development of the Czochralski method

•Utilization of the Czochralski method before WWII was exclusively in Germany and the USA.•H. Walther introduced crystal rotation and diameter control to the CZ method in 1937.•Walther′s unrecognized enhancements established the currently utilized CZ technique.•In 1948 (after WWII), Bell Labs/USA resumed use of the CZ method.•Use of the CZ method has spread since 1952 in the USA and Europe and since 1959 in Japan.

The Czochralski technique is currently the most developed method for growing bulk single crystals. The high technical level and degree of process automation make this technique the method of choice for growing and producing high-quality bulk single crystals, such as silicon, a variety of oxides, fluorides and multielement compounds. The historical development and spread of this method is shown from the time of its invention by Jan Czochralski in 1916 until the early 1970s when key modifications were made.