Ehrich & Graetz
Encyclopedia
The Ehrich & Graetz metalworks was a factory established in 1866 in Berlin
by Albert Graetz (1831-1901) and the tradesman Emil Ehrich (?-1887) under the name "Lampen-Fabrik Ehrich & Graetz OHG" (E&G). The logo of the firm is two seahorses and between them a sun and the firm initials E&G.
In the beginning kerosene lamps, burners and cookers for fluid (Wood alcohol, Paraffin) and gaseous fuels (Town gas, Propane
and Natural Gas
) were made in their factory.
In 1897 the firm is controlled by Albert's sons, Max Graetz
and Adolf Graetz.
The company grew rapidly, and in 1899 a factory complex was built in the Elsenstrasse in Berlin
. At that time the company has establishments in the US, France
, UK and Bombay (now Mumbai
). Around 1910-1916 Max Graetz
develops the famous Petromax
Lantern.
Around 1925 the factory also produces radios, and other electrical appliances under the name Graetzor. In 1928 Fritz Graetz (Son of Max) takes over the management of the firm.
In the Second World War, just like in the First World War, the company is part of the war industry. With the use of forced labourers from France, Russia and the Netherlands, the company makes huge production in numbers. Around 1942 the letters in the logo are changed to only G.
On the 27th of February 1943 the Jewish forced labourers are taken away by the SS. At the end of April 1945 the factory is claimed by the Russia
n army. At the end of 1945 the factory is running again on pots, pans and other small metal work.
In 1949 the firm gets to be part of the "peoples" program, "VEB-VolksEigenerBetrieb" and since 1950 "VEB Fernmeldewerk, Berlin Treptow (RFFT)"
VolksEigenerBetrieb, means that the factory was owned by the people for the people (Communism
)
In 1948 Erich and Fritz Graetz founded a new company in Altena Germany called the Graetz firm, as successor to the lost family company in Berlin. The company produces mainly radios and televisions, however the Petromax
, the paraffin pressure lamp invented and designed by Max Graetz
, is produced here in great numbers getting its last revival.
In 1961 the company is sold to Standard Elektrik Lorenz (SEL) AG and since 1987 is now owned by Finnish company Nokia
.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
by Albert Graetz (1831-1901) and the tradesman Emil Ehrich (?-1887) under the name "Lampen-Fabrik Ehrich & Graetz OHG" (E&G). The logo of the firm is two seahorses and between them a sun and the firm initials E&G.
In the beginning kerosene lamps, burners and cookers for fluid (Wood alcohol, Paraffin) and gaseous fuels (Town gas, Propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
and Natural Gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
) were made in their factory.
In 1897 the firm is controlled by Albert's sons, Max Graetz
Max Graetz
Max Graetz was the President/CEO of the Ehrich & Graetz firm in Berlin. He was also the main inventor.Between 1900-1916 he invented the Petromax lantern.Ehrich & Graetz was a big metalworks firm until the Second World War.-External links:***...
and Adolf Graetz.
The company grew rapidly, and in 1899 a factory complex was built in the Elsenstrasse in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. At that time the company has establishments in the US, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, UK and Bombay (now Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
). Around 1910-1916 Max Graetz
Max Graetz
Max Graetz was the President/CEO of the Ehrich & Graetz firm in Berlin. He was also the main inventor.Between 1900-1916 he invented the Petromax lantern.Ehrich & Graetz was a big metalworks firm until the Second World War.-External links:***...
develops the famous Petromax
Petromax
Petromax is a brand name, for paraffin lamps that use a mantle, they are as synonymous with the paraffin lamp on the continent as Tilley lamps in the UK and Coleman in the US....
Lantern.
Around 1925 the factory also produces radios, and other electrical appliances under the name Graetzor. In 1928 Fritz Graetz (Son of Max) takes over the management of the firm.
In the Second World War, just like in the First World War, the company is part of the war industry. With the use of forced labourers from France, Russia and the Netherlands, the company makes huge production in numbers. Around 1942 the letters in the logo are changed to only G.
On the 27th of February 1943 the Jewish forced labourers are taken away by the SS. At the end of April 1945 the factory is claimed by the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n army. At the end of 1945 the factory is running again on pots, pans and other small metal work.
In 1949 the firm gets to be part of the "peoples" program, "VEB-VolksEigenerBetrieb" and since 1950 "VEB Fernmeldewerk, Berlin Treptow (RFFT)"
VolksEigenerBetrieb, means that the factory was owned by the people for the people (Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
)
In 1948 Erich and Fritz Graetz founded a new company in Altena Germany called the Graetz firm, as successor to the lost family company in Berlin. The company produces mainly radios and televisions, however the Petromax
Petromax
Petromax is a brand name, for paraffin lamps that use a mantle, they are as synonymous with the paraffin lamp on the continent as Tilley lamps in the UK and Coleman in the US....
, the paraffin pressure lamp invented and designed by Max Graetz
Max Graetz
Max Graetz was the President/CEO of the Ehrich & Graetz firm in Berlin. He was also the main inventor.Between 1900-1916 he invented the Petromax lantern.Ehrich & Graetz was a big metalworks firm until the Second World War.-External links:***...
, is produced here in great numbers getting its last revival.
In 1961 the company is sold to Standard Elektrik Lorenz (SEL) AG and since 1987 is now owned by Finnish company Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
.