Carl Zeiss Day and German Optical Museum in Jena
Carl Zeiss was born in the town of Weimar in 1816. 11th September 2016 marks his 200th birthday. The mechanic opened a small workshop for precision mechanics and optics in Jena in 1846, laying the foundation for today’s global technology player ZEISS. “Without these achievements and the intellectual legacy of its founding father, ZEISS would not be as successful as it is today,” says Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG.
This year the company will celebrate the 200th birthday of its founder with many different activities and events. A biography of Carl Zeiss was published in May, and starting in September there will be an exhibition on the visionary entrepreneur which will introduce visitors to his life and work. The highlight of the celebrations is Carl Zeiss Day in the city of Jena on 11th September.
Founding of the German Optical Museum
As a fitting and lasting honor of Carl Zeiss’ achievements which will endure beyond the events held to commemorate his 200th birthday, the company is sponsoring the establishment of a German Optical Museum in Jena – with the support of partners from industry, science and the city of Jena. The initiators are: the Ernst Abbe Foundation, the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the city of Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena and the company ZEISS. “In the same year of Carl Zeiss’ 200th birthday, it’s important to us to begin this significant initiative and important undertaking. I am sure that this museum is not only an appropriate, but also a forward-looking way to honor our company founder, here in the city where he started is company,” says Dr. Kaschke.
The current Optical Museum run by the Ernst Abbe Foundation in Jena will be completely redesigned and reestablished as the German Optical Museum and will serve as a leading museum in the national and international museum community. In addition to putting on display the scientific history of optics and the history of optical instrument construction, the German Optical Museum will also be a place where the public and experts can meet via many different educational programs.
