The author gives a survey, for the years 1920–33, of the history of the oldest psychoanalytic institute, the one in Berlin, founded by Karl Abraham and Max Eitingon. He underlines its functions as a policlinic (also serving impecunious patients) and as the first training centre. Character sketches are given of the analysts working and teaching at the Institute during the Weimar Republic, including Ernst Simmel, Hanns Sachs, Franz Alexander, Sandor Rado, Karen Horney, Siegfried Bernfeld, Otto Fenichel, Theodor Reik, Wilhelm Reich and Melanie Klein, many of whom represented classical psychoanalysis and others were founders of dissident groups.