Carl Laubman

Carl Wilhelm Laubman (11 May 1878 – 8 July 1958) was an Australian optician, inventor, and co-founder of Laubman & Pank.

Laubmann was born in Stepney, an inner suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. He was the eldest of seven children of John Laubmann, carpenter and joiner, and Sophie Caroline (née Matte), both of German origin. His only brother having died in infancy, he was raised with five younger sisters. Educated at Norwood Primary School, his family were in humble circumstances, so the teenager was early obliged to make his own way in the world.

Leaving school in 1892 aged 14, he was then employed and trained as an optician by noted Adelaide ophthalmologist Dr T K Hamilton. A patient perfectionist, he used woodworking skills learnt from his father to make his own optical cabinets and metal tools, all of the highest standard. In 1900, when he was 21, the family's situation worsened with the death of his father. That same year, having noted that optician services were in demand in rural and regional areas, the enterprising young man set up business on his own account in the mining town of Broken Hill. He also travelled to remote outback places, such as White Cliffs and Wilcannia, offering his services.

He married in Broken Hill in 1905 to local girl, Maude May Sullivan (1887–1948), whose parents were of Irish ancestry. Her grandfather, a miner, had sight impairment from a mining accident. Her father was a thriving transport contractor in Broken Hill, employing many men, a major client being the town council for its night cart service. Maude had outstanding musical talents. An accomplished pianist, she was also a popular contralto soloist locally.

In 1907 a 25-year-old Adelaide optometrist, Harold George Pank (1882–1935), paid Laubmann a courtesy call while visiting Broken Hill as a musician. Pank's parents were of English origin. Each young man was impressed with the other's professional abilities. A firm friendship quickly formed, particularly as Harold Pank and Maude Laubmann shared a common interest in music, he being a talented cellist. The men discussed a business partnership, but no commitment was made.

The Laubmann's were preparing to build their own home in Broken Hill when the year 1908 brought significant changes. A daughter, named Eulalie, was born to the young couple. Maude's father decided to sell up his transport business and retire to Adelaide. Carl's mother Sophie died in Adelaide, aged just 49. Harold Pank then wrote from Adelaide, again suggesting a partnership, and this time it was accepted. The Laubmann family moved to Adelaide.

Laubmann & Pank, as they styled themselves, commenced business as opticians in 1908 in Victoria Square, Adelaide. The new partners quickly realised they needed greater customer exposure, so in 1909 they moved to the city's busiest commercial street, Rundle Street. Business then began to flourish. Harold Pank married in 1910 to Johanna Hower (1878–1930), a trained nurse from Victoria, who also became active in the business in its early years. Maude Laubman began music studies at the Elder Conservatorium.

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