Ehrich & Graetz

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 Russian 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.

ee also

*Kerosene lamp

External links

* [http://www.petromax.nl www.petromax.nl]
* [http://www.hytta.de/info/en_graetz.htm Short History of Petromax and Graetz]
* [http://www.be-back-later.com/forums/ Historical Lamp Forum]
* [http://www.be-back-later.com/index.php?product=./catalogue//Petromax/EG%201936.htm&neuzen=2&fn=EG%201936 Lamp Catalogus van Ehrich&Graetz]