Daniel Swarovski

Daniel Swarovski (né Daniel Swartz; 24 October 1862, in Georgenthal bei Gablonz (Czech: Jiřetín pod Bukovou; not Sankt Georgenthal (Czech: Jiřetín pod Jedlovou)), Bohemia (now Czech Republic) – 23 January 1956, in Wattens) was an Austrian glass cutter and jeweller born in Bohemia. His father was a Slovak glass cutter who owned a small glass factory, and Swarovski first learned the art of glass-cutting in his father's factory. In 1892 he patented an electric cutting machine that facilitated the production of lead crystal glass jewellery.

In 1949, Swarovski Optik KG was founded by Wilhelm in Absam, Tyrol. Wilhelm Swarovski, son of the original founder, was 47 years of age.