Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann was a prominent German political scientist and communication researcher, born on December 19, 1916, and passing away on March 25, 2010. She is best known for her work on public opinion and the concept of the "spiral of silence," which explains how individuals may withhold their opinions if they believe they are in the minority. Noelle-Neumann founded the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research in 1947, which became a leading center for opinion polling in Germany. Her research significantly influenced the fields of media studies and political communication, making her a key figure in understanding how public perceptions are shaped.