Manfred von Ardenne (January 20, 1907 - May 26, 1997) was a German inventor. He took out an enormous number of patents in the fields of physics, medicine, television and radio technology, nuclear technology and space research.

Born in Hamburg, von Ardenne was active in Berlin (TV), the Soviet Union (nuclear power), France (space program) and Dresden (medicine and physics). One of the creators of the Dresden-Hamburg city partnership (1987), postum honour citizen of Dresden.

He led a bigger private firm also during the socialistic times in Dresden. He died in Dresden.

see also: TU Dresden