Loewe Opta
Evolution of the Firm Loewe / Opta / Loewe Opta
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| David Ludwig Loewe | Dr. Siegmund Loewe | Manfred von Ardenne |
1882 - 1936 David Ludwig Loewe
1885 - 1962 Dr. Siegmund Loewe
1891 - 1961 Dr. Bernhard Loewe
1907 - 1997 Manfred von Ardenne
Here everything began
The three function tube was based on a joint development by Siegmund Loewe und Manfred von Ardenne.
1926 the arrival of the multi element tube and the million selling radio the OE333
1929 The founding of Radio AG D. S. Loewe by Dr. Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe.
Founding of AG Television by Radio AG D. S. Loewe und three other Partners.
1931 World's first instance of TV based on the cathode ray tube by Manfred von Ardenne
1933 Hitler's seizure of power forces David Ludwig Loewe to emigrate.
The first production stage of Loewe Televisions presented at the Berlin Radio Exhibition
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Der FED von 1933
1934. Television becomes mobile. The first purpose built transportable Television Studio. July 1935 the first semi-trailer premiered in London
1936 Television AG provides the cameras and radios for the broadcast of the XI. Olympiad in Berlin
D. S. Loewe's projection televisions available
1938 the arrival of the first home audiovisual entertainment centre with integrated radio, television and record player.
The Aryanization of Radio AG D.S. Loewe forces Dr. Siegmund Loewe to emigrate.
1939 Introduction of the standard TV receiver "E1" by Radio AG D.S. Loewe and other German television companies.
Outbreak of World War Two. The firm Radio AG D. S. Loewe becomes a war factory.
1940 Die Radio AG D. S. Loewe forced to change its name to Löwe Radio and Co.
1942 Löwe Radio forced to change its name to Opta and Co. (1940 to 1942 you found Loewe with ö)
1945 End of the war. Civil production continues in Berlin, Leipzig and Küps im Oberfranken bei Kronach with the "Necessity program"
1946 The establishment of a branch factory in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf was he home station of the Opta Special.The Rhinegold and other receivers were manufactured there.
1948 Beginning of production in Kronach (Oberfranken)
1949 Dr. Siegmund Loewe returns and the firm is once again known as Loewe Opta and Co
1950 The world's first home tape recorder equipped with a tape cassette demonstrated.
The production of TV sets begins in the Kronach factory with the "Iris"
1953 Europe's first TV relay station was opened on Radspitze bei Kronach (a tower south of Kronach)
In 1958 radio production in Kronach ceased and was continued only in Berlin and Düsseldorf. From this point on Kronach specialized in TV production.
In 1961 the video age began with the Optacord 500. The Optracord was the Germany's first device for home viewing and recording.
1963 TV becomes mobile with the Loewe Optaport the first fully transistorized and portable TV with a 25 cm screen and in built FM radio. il.
1964 Founding of Loewe Opta GmbH.
1965 Transformation of Loewe Opta AG into "internationale Industrie- und Verwaltungs AG" (1965 - 1969).
Closure of the Düsseldorf factory (from now on radio production was carried on only in Berlin)
1971 Loewe is the first firm with the wall unit friendly color TV with the shortened 110 degree picture tube - this becomes the standard later on.
1979 Loewe revolutionizes the construction of TV sets with the inroduction of the fully integrated platina chassis.
Closure of the Berlin factory.
(From then on all units were made in Kronach)
1981 The sensation: Loewe presents to the press the first European stereo TV
1983 Loewe introduces the first series production of the BTX decoder for the new CEPT standard.
Loewe introduces with the ART 1 a new generation of TVs incorporating design and technical
1987 With the ART series Loewe enters the age of Digital technology. Loewe is years ahead of its time.
1991 Introduction of the first Loewe Tvs with the 16.9 broadpicture format.
1994 Loewe bring the first fully digital TV with 100 Hz Technology onto the market
1995 a technical production revolution with the environmentally friendly CS1 Loewe Television.
In the same year arrived a new product line: Loewe Systems. The union of audio and video coincides with Loewes entry into HIFI and audio market. The beginning of Loewe's multimedia age.
1997 With the Loewe Xelos @ media the age of the union of television,computers and telecommunications is introduced.
1998 75th anniversary of Loewe . The success story is celebrated in Kronach
(and the production continues)
Dates come to some extent from "75 years of Loewe Opta"
Late Founder and Chairman of LOEWE OPTA AG
Der Gründer und Aufsichtsratvorsizende der LOEWE OPTA AG ist von uns gegangen
One of the successful pioneers of Broadcast and Television deceased unexpectedly in early may during preparations for his return to Germany and was buried May, 28th on “Waldfriedhof zu Berlin –Dahlem” to find his final quietude. His life was characterized by broadcast. Already in 1905 his name was mentioned in files of the patent office, shortly after he started his careers as a young engineer. In 1914 Dr. Loewe took over the technical directorship of Fa. Erich F.Huth GmbH, which rose under his leadership to one of the most important manufacturers of radio techniques. After learning about broadcasting in the USA he founded the Fa. Radiofrequenz in 1921 in Berlin, which later changed its name into Radio AG D.S.Loewe. Our today’s Loewe Opta AG Berlin/Kronach and Opta-Spezial GmbH Düsseldorf are originated in that company...
Dr. Loewe´s Patent for the „LOEWE-Dreifachröhre“ was the most important one of his Patents for receivers and transmitters to proliferate broadcast in Germany Enabled by his invention the number of radio set owners rose from 1.5 Million to 3 Million in only two years and opened the door for a change from headphones to loudspeaker radio sets. The costs for radio sets with „Dreifachröhre“was sensational, only RM 39.50. In a similar way Dr. Loewe influenced the development of TV-Sets. Already at the end of 1930 he presented electronic TV in Berlin. The first prototypes were presented to the public in 1933. In all essential parts they are the basis of today’s sets.
The Loewe Opta-Association, more, the whole German TV and Radio industry are deeply shocked by this severity of loss. The circle of men who invented and built up Broadcast and Television became smaller by the decease of Dr. Loewe. His memory however will continue living in the hearts of all who knew him and those who are emotionally linked to Broadcast and Television.
Taken from Loewe Opta Kurier 1962 / More pictures to Loewe 20 - 30's Years