Carl Zeiss's impressive rise: Jena celebrates 150 years of innovation!

Carl Zeiss's impressive rise: Jena celebrates 150 years of innovation!

In the heart of Jena and Oberkochen, a remarkable story takes place that extends far beyond the borders of the former two parts of Germany. Carl Zeiss's saga has exerted a formative influence on fine mechanics and optical industry and significantly promoted the development of technologies that we take today for granted. Its roots go back to 1846 when Carl Zeiss founded a workshop in Jena that was not only for precision, but also for innovative strength and community spirit. This was the beginning of a long way that still unites thousands of employees and the culture of the two locations.

The year 1995 was particularly challenging when Carl Zeiss Jena was about to end. Five years after the turn, thousands of people gathered to demonstrate for the maintenance of the company, which has now been able to look back on a proud 150 years. The "Zeissian-Speist", which stands for precision, collectivity and dedication, was conjured up and helped to motivate the workforce in difficult times. During this time it turned out how important the story of Zeiss is for the region and how much people hang on the legacy.

historical turning points

The breakthrough through physicist Ernst Abbe at the end of the 19th century led to the conversion of the company into a foundation company, which brought social reforms such as the eight-hour day and profit sharing. But the turbulent story took a tragic turn after the Second World War: Jena fell to the Soviets, many scientists were deported and 94% of the facilities were dismantled and removed. This led to a division of the company into an eastern and western part: Carl Zeiss Oberkochen, who was able to maintain his business in the West and Zeiss Jena, which, despite the adverse circumstances, gradually flourished.

Another formative event in the company's history was the brand dispute between Zeiss Oberkochen and Zeiss Jena, which began in 1954 and only ended in 1971 with the London compromise. This discussion symbolized the different developments and challenges that the two parts of the company had to look forward to. Especially after reunification, a dramatic decline in sales in Jena occurred, which made the need to create new management structures. Peter Grassmann became CEO in Oberkochen, while Lothar Späth took over the management in Jena and brought a breath of fresh air.

an outlook on the future

in 2025, exactly 150 years after the foundation, the microscopy division returned to Jena and revived the location. The connection between the two Zeiss locations is narrower than ever, and it remains exciting which way the company will take in the coming years. The dream of a high-tech center in Jena lives on, and the "large Zeiss family" is on the journey to master the challenges of the future together.

In the optics industry, Carl Zeiss remains a synonym for quality and innovation. This embossing is not only due to technical achievements, but also to the deeply rooted entrepreneurial history, which runs through heights and depths. If you look at the past 150 years, it becomes clear that the history of Zeiss is also a reflection of German history that has been shaped by political and economic upheavals. Numerous products and technologies that are standard today are a direct result of the tireless work and dedication of the Zeiss employees.

The framework conditions of trade, such as those also apply to the distribution of antiques on platforms such as eBay, finally illustrate the challenges that companies have to cope with today. A lived customer service is, which includes return rights and clear conditions, also crucial for Zeiss in order to continue to be successful in the global market. Finally, if you do good business, you can stay your own number one.

More information about the remarkable story of Carl Zeiss can be found on Coolis.de , as well as further details about the corporate structures on Zeiss.com .