Jump to content

Wild Heerbrugg: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ZéroBot (talk | contribs)
704,777 edits
m r2.7.1) (robot Adding: es:Wild Heerbrugg
m Adding local short description: "Swiss optical instruments company", overriding Wikidata description "company"
 
(36 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Swiss optical instruments company}}
⚫
[[File:Klassisk_teodolitt_(Wild_T2).jpg|thumb|Wild T2 [[Theodolite]].]]
{{Expand German|Wild Heerbrugg|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Wild RC8 in a NOAA de Havilland Buffalo.jpg|thumb|A Wild RC8 aerial camera in use.]]
{{advert|date=January 2015}}
[[File:Restitutietoestel 24-03-2007 16-43-10.jpg|thumb|A Wild A8, a photogrammetric instrument.]]

⚫
The '''Wild (Heerbrugg)''' company was founded in 1921 in [[Switzerland]]. The company manufactured different optical instruments, such as Surveying instruments, [[microscope]]s and instruments for [[photogrammetry]] among others. The company changed its name several times, first being known as "Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik", then "Verkaufs-Aktiengesellschaft Heinrich Wild's Geodätische Instrumente", later "Wild Heerbrugg AG", later "Wild Leitz". The company was finally linked with Leica in 1989, when it became part of Leica Holding B.V. The company is today part of [[Leica Geosystems]] AG.
{{Infobox company
| name = Wild (Heerbrugg)
| logo =
| caption =
| type =
| foundation = Heerbrugg (SG), [[Switzerland]] ({{Start date|1921|04|26|df=y}})
| founder = [[Heinrich Wild]], Jacob Schmidheiny, Robert Helbling
| location_city =
| location_country =
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people =
| industry = [[Surveying equipment]]
| products = [[Automatic level]]s, [[Theodolite]]s
| services =
| fate = Merged with [[Leica Geosystems]]
| homepage =
}}
⚫
[[File:Klassisk teodolitt (Wild T2).jpg|thumb|Wild T2 [[Theodolite]]]]
[[File:Wild RC8 in a NOAA de Havilland Buffalo.jpg|thumb|Aerial photographer in the unpressurized cabin of a [[de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|NOAA de Havilland Buffalo]] breathing with the assistance of an [[oxygen mask]], operating a Wild RC-8 camera]]
[[File:Wild Heerbrugg M400.jpg|thumb|Wild Heerbrugg M400 macroscope (1970s-80s)]]
[[File:Wild Heerbugg - Reisszeug Set RZ31.jpg|thumb|Wild Heerbrugg - Drawing set RZ31]]

⚫
The '''Wild (Heerbrugg)''' company (pronounced "vilt")<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wild Stereomicroscopes|url=http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artnov14/rjk-StereomicroscopeWildHeerbrugg.pdf}}</ref> was founded in 1921 in [[Switzerland]]. The company manufactured optical instruments, such as [[surveying]] instruments, [[microscope]]s and instruments for [[photogrammetry]] among others. The company changed its name several times, first being known as "Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik", then "Verkaufs-Aktiengesellschaft Heinrich Wild's Geodätische Instrumente", later "Wild Heerbrugg AG", later "Wild-Leitz". The company was linked with Leica in 1989, then it became part of Leica Holding B.V. Its subsidiary [[Leica Geosystems]] AG became part of the Swedish [[Hexagon AB]] Group of companies in 2005.


==History==
==History==
On 26 April 1921 the company '''Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik''' was founded in Heerbrugg from three Swiss technicians:
On 26 April 1921 the company '''Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik''' was founded in Heerbrugg by three Swiss men; the surveyor and inventor Heinrich Wild from Glarus, the investor Jacob Schmidheiny from Balgach, and the geologist Dr. Robert Helbling from Flums.
* the surveyor and inventor Heinrich Wild from Glarus
* the officer Jacob Schmidheiny
* and the geologist Dr. Robert Helbling from Flums.


[[Heinrich Wild]] (1877–1951), a leading designer of geodetic and astronomical instruments, was born in [[Switzerland]] and began his career as an apprentice [[surveying|surveyor]]. In 1908, having invented a military rangefinder and convinced [[Carl Zeiss AG|Zeiss]] to manufacture it, Wild moved to Jena and became head of GEO, the new Zeiss branch responsible for surveying instruments. Wild returned to Switzerland after the First World War. In 1921, with the help of Swiss financiers, he established a Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik in Heerbrugg, in the Rhine Valley. In the early 1930s, having recognized that he was not cut out to be a factory manager, Wild moved to Zurich, severed his connections with the firm in Heerbrugg, and designed instruments for [[Kern & Co]] in Aarau. His old firm became Wild Heerbrugg in 1937. It merged with the optical firm of [[Ernst Leitz senior|Ernst Leitz]] of Wetzlar in 1987, acquired a majority interest in Kern in 1988, was renamed [[Wild Leitz AG]] in 1989, and became part of the Leica holding company in 1990.
[[Heinrich Wild]] (1877–1951), a leading designer of geodetic and astronomical instruments, was born in [[Switzerland]] and began his career as an apprentice [[surveying|surveyor]]. In 1908, having invented a military rangefinder and convinced [[Carl Zeiss AG|Zeiss]] to manufacture it, Wild moved to Jena and became head of GEO, the new Zeiss branch responsible for surveying instruments. Wild returned to Switzerland after the First World War. In 1921, with the help of Swiss financiers, he established a Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik in Heerbrugg, in the Rhine Valley. As the first major product, Wild developed the [[Theodolite]] Wild T2. Later models were launched when Wild already had left the company, still bearing his name, such as the theodolite WILD Heerbrugg T4.<ref>[http://surveyequipment.com/wild-heerbrugg-t4-universal-theodolite-used/ "WILD Heerbrugg T4 Universal Theodolite", product description by opti-cal]</ref> Another important new product engineered by Wild was an [[Aerial photography|aerial camera]], later called "Aviophot" for [[cartography]].<ref>K. Hildebrand and R. Schlienger: "Scharfer Blick von oben." [[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]], April 24, 1984, p. 69</ref>

In the early 1930s, having recognized that he was not cut out to be a factory manager, Wild moved to Zurich, severed his connections with the firm in Heerbrugg, and designed instruments for Kern & Co in [[Aarau]]. His old firm became Wild Heerbrugg in 1937. It merged with the optical firm of [[Ernst Leitz GmbH]] of Wetzlar in 1987. It also acquired a majority interest in Kern in 1988, was renamed Wild-Leitz AG in 1989. The combined company had about 8000 employees and revenues of approx. one billion Swiss Francs (CHF).<ref>"Wild Heerbrugg und Leitz Wetzlar mit gemeinsamem Namen." New name Wild-Leitz AG from 1989. Neue Zürcher Zeitung, December 28, 1988, p. 30</ref> Then, it became part of the Leica holding company in 1990.


Starting from 1996 the company was divided gradually again into smaller units.
Starting from 1996 the company was divided gradually again into smaller units.
Thus 1996 the [[Leica Camera]] AG developed, in October 1997 the [[Leica Geosystems]] AG and on 1 April 1998 the [[Leica Microsystems]] AG.
Thus 1996 the [[Leica Camera]] AG developed, in October 1997 the [[Leica Geosystems]] AG and on 1 April 1998 the [[Leica Microsystems]] AG. Leica Geosystems produced, in continuation of Wild Heerbrugg, the geodetic instruments and is the global market leader in this sector as part of the new parent company Hexagon AB.

Today these three companies are all independent public companies. Leica Geosystems produced - in continuation of Wild Heerbrugg - the geodetic instruments and is the global market leader in these section.
The brand name "Wild Heerbrugg" is still in use for stereo microscopes<ref>[http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artnov14/rjk-StereomicroscopeWildHeerbrugg.pdf R. Jordan Kreindler: "WILD Stereomicroscopes." Micscape Magazin (UK), November 2014]</ref> and precision level measuring such as the WILD Heerbrugg N3 Level.<ref>[http://www.aps.anl.gov/Xray_Science_Division/Detectors/Detector_Pool/Equipment_Information/Wild_N3/ "WILD Heerbrugg N3 Level." Argonne National Laboratory]</ref>

== See also ==
⚫
* [[Leica Camera|Leica]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Wild Heerbrugg}}
* [http://www.wild-heerbrugg.com Virtual Archiv of Wild Heerbrugg AG]
* [https://leica-geosystems.com/en-us/about-us/news-room/customer-magazine/reporter-89/100-years-of-innovation-in-heerbrugg History of Wild Heerbrugg] at [https://leica-geosystems.com/ Leica Geosystems]
* [http://www.Leica-Geosystems.com Leica Geosystems AG]
* [http://www.Leica-Microsystems.com Leica Microsystems AG]
* [http://www.wild-heerbrugg.com Virtual Archiv of Wild Heerbrugg AG]
⚫
* [http://www.Leica-Camera.com Leica Camera AG]
* [http://www.projekt-wild.tk Projekt: Wild Heerbrugg 1921–1990]
* [http://www.projekt-wild.tk Projekt: Wild Heerbrugg 1921–1990]


{{Hexagon AB}}
⚫
[[Category:Companies of Switzerland]]
{{Ernst Leitz GmbH}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:Manufacturing companies of Switzerland]]
[[de:Wild Heerbrugg]]
[[Category:Companies based in the canton of St. Gallen]]
[[es:Wild Heerbrugg]]
[[Category:Geographic data and information equipment companies]]
[[fr:Wild Heerbrugg]]

Latest revision as of 10:03, 19 November 2023

Wild (Heerbrugg)
IndustrySurveying equipment
FoundedHeerbrugg (SG), Switzerland (26 April 1921 (1921-04-26))
FounderHeinrich Wild, Jacob Schmidheiny, Robert Helbling
FateMerged with Leica Geosystems
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsAutomatic levels, Theodolites
Wild T2 Theodolite
Aerial photographer in the unpressurized cabin of a NOAA de Havilland Buffalo breathing with the assistance of an oxygen mask, operating a Wild RC-8 camera
Wild Heerbrugg M400 macroscope (1970s-80s)
Wild Heerbrugg - Drawing set RZ31

The Wild (Heerbrugg) company (pronounced "vilt")[1] was founded in 1921 in Switzerland. The company manufactured optical instruments, such as surveying instruments, microscopes and instruments for photogrammetry among others. The company changed its name several times, first being known as "Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik", then "Verkaufs-Aktiengesellschaft Heinrich Wild's Geodätische Instrumente", later "Wild Heerbrugg AG", later "Wild-Leitz". The company was linked with Leica in 1989, then it became part of Leica Holding B.V. Its subsidiary Leica Geosystems AG became part of the Swedish Hexagon AB Group of companies in 2005.

History

[edit]

On 26 April 1921 the company Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik was founded in Heerbrugg by three Swiss men; the surveyor and inventor Heinrich Wild from Glarus, the investor Jacob Schmidheiny from Balgach, and the geologist Dr. Robert Helbling from Flums.

Heinrich Wild (1877–1951), a leading designer of geodetic and astronomical instruments, was born in Switzerland and began his career as an apprentice surveyor. In 1908, having invented a military rangefinder and convinced Zeiss to manufacture it, Wild moved to Jena and became head of GEO, the new Zeiss branch responsible for surveying instruments. Wild returned to Switzerland after the First World War. In 1921, with the help of Swiss financiers, he established a Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik in Heerbrugg, in the Rhine Valley. As the first major product, Wild developed the Theodolite Wild T2. Later models were launched when Wild already had left the company, still bearing his name, such as the theodolite WILD Heerbrugg T4.[2] Another important new product engineered by Wild was an aerial camera, later called "Aviophot" for cartography.[3]

In the early 1930s, having recognized that he was not cut out to be a factory manager, Wild moved to Zurich, severed his connections with the firm in Heerbrugg, and designed instruments for Kern & Co in Aarau. His old firm became Wild Heerbrugg in 1937. It merged with the optical firm of Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar in 1987. It also acquired a majority interest in Kern in 1988, was renamed Wild-Leitz AG in 1989. The combined company had about 8000 employees and revenues of approx. one billion Swiss Francs (CHF).[4] Then, it became part of the Leica holding company in 1990.

Starting from 1996 the company was divided gradually again into smaller units. Thus 1996 the Leica Camera AG developed, in October 1997 the Leica Geosystems AG and on 1 April 1998 the Leica Microsystems AG. Leica Geosystems produced, in continuation of Wild Heerbrugg, the geodetic instruments and is the global market leader in this sector as part of the new parent company Hexagon AB.

The brand name "Wild Heerbrugg" is still in use for stereo microscopes[5] and precision level measuring such as the WILD Heerbrugg N3 Level.[6]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wild Stereomicroscopes" (PDF).
  2. ^ "WILD Heerbrugg T4 Universal Theodolite", product description by opti-cal
  3. ^ K. Hildebrand and R. Schlienger: "Scharfer Blick von oben." Neue Zürcher Zeitung, April 24, 1984, p. 69
  4. ^ "Wild Heerbrugg und Leitz Wetzlar mit gemeinsamem Namen." New name Wild-Leitz AG from 1989. Neue Zürcher Zeitung, December 28, 1988, p. 30
  5. ^ R. Jordan Kreindler: "WILD Stereomicroscopes." Micscape Magazin (UK), November 2014
  6. ^ "WILD Heerbrugg N3 Level." Argonne National Laboratory
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wild Heerbrugg.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wild_Heerbrugg&oldid=1185845937"