Ernst Leitz GmbH

Ernst Leitz GmbH was a German corporation now divided into three independent companies:

Carl Kellner, mechanic and self-taught mathematician, published his treatise Das orthoskopische Ocular, eine neu erfundene achromatische Linsencombination (The orthoscopic ocular, a newly invented achromatic lens combination) in 1849, describing a new optical formula he had developed. The ocular was capable of rendering an image with correct perspective, free of the distortions typical of other microscopes at that time. Following his early death on 13 May 1855, his widow continued the business he had left behind, the "Optisches Institut" (optical institute).

The fine mechanic Ernst Leitz I. (1843–1920) from Baden arrived at Wetzlar in 1864 and entered service at the Optisches Institut. He was trained as an instrument maker for physical and chemical apparatus and had several years' experience making watches in Switzerland. Initially, Leitz was a part shareholder of the business (in 1865), but took over as sole owner in 1869 and continued it under his own name. Leitz introduced serial production, raising sales volume rapidly after 1871. Consulting with his clients, he continued to refine the microscopes to their needs.

The microscopes were produced for biomedical as well as industrial purposes, including mineralogy. Leitz microscopes improved on other models of their day in several ways, including lighting and optics, particularly with orthoscopic eyepieces. By 1880, the company had reached an annual production numbering 500. 1887 the 10,000th microscope was shipped, four years later the 20,000th, and in 1899 the 50,000th was completed. Bacteriologist Robert Koch was given the company's 100,000th microscope in 1907.Paul Ehrlich, inventor of chemotherapy, received the 150,000th one, and Nobel laureate Gerhard Domagk, discoverer of sulfonamides the 400,000th Leica instrument.

By the end of the 19th century, the company had a worldwide reputation. Its product range by this point included several optical instruments besides microscopes. At the beginning of the new century, Leitz introduced eight-hour days and founded a health insurance society for employees. 1913 it introduced a first fully functional binocular microscope. After the first world war, the economic situation of Leitz was dire. Ernst Leitz died in July 1920 and the leadership of the company passed to his son, Ernst Leitz II.

...
Wikipedia