100 years of Leica: Witness to a century (1925-2025)
As I already reported, in 2025, Leica will celebrate 100 years since the release of their first 35mm film camera:
Next year (2025) Leica will celebrate 100 years since the release of their first 35mm film camera
Here is the official/full press release for the “100 Years of Leica” anniversary in 2025:
100 years of Leica: Witness to a century (1925-2025)
For Leica Camera AG, the year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. First presented to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it was the first mass-produced Leica 35 mm camera. With its compact and handy format, it created new photographic applications and revolutionised the world of photography. Leica Camera AG’s celebrations around the world are therefore being held under the motto “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century” with numerous cultural highlights and exciting new products.
‘I hereby decide: we will take the risk’, with these formative words the entrepreneur Ernst Leitz II decided to mass-produce the ground-breaking invention of the “Ur-Leica” by Oskar Barnack. Barnack, a precision mechanic and head of the testing department at Ernst Leitz Werke, had been continuously dabbling in photography in his spare time and was working on a completely new and compact 35mm camera. He completed the prototype of the original Leica as early as 1914, but further development was delayed due to the challenges of the world war. After its presentation at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, the Leica I triggered a revolution in photography. As the first compact and lightweight Leica camera with a 24x36mm 35mm format, it made photography a natural part of everyday life. For the first time, it was possible to take pictures of real life – capturing the decisive moment – and thus created completely new possibilities for use and expression. The genre of reportage and documentary, as well as street and artistic photography, was born.
The Leica I is considered the first milestone in the Leica product portfolio and laid the foundation for the continuing success story of Leica Camera AG. To this day, the company proceeds to play a key role in shaping the technological development of photography, investing in groundbreaking technologies and consistently expanding into new business areas. Like no other brand, Leica stands for durable, high-quality products “Made in Germany”, an unmistakeable image culture and an extraordinary commitment to the cultural promotion of photography.
Leica Camera Group is celebrating the Leica I 2025 anniversary with a global community of photography enthusiasts. The programme includes international events organised by Leica subsidiaries in major cities such as Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo. In addition, the worldwide network of Leica Galleries will host high-calibre exhibitions featuring the work of outstanding photographers. The highlight of the anniversary year will be the celebrations at the company’s headquarters in Wetzlar in June. International guests can look forward to a varied programme of cultural highlights during the anniversary week. As a tribute to the region and the city of Wetzlar, the birthplace of Leica, further local cultural projects are planned in the city. The anniversary year will be accompanied by the release of a number of ‘Special Edition’ products that celebrate the groundbreaking invention of an icon of the century. A cinema film on the development of 35mm photography by Reiner Holzemer will be presented as well as an exhibition by the renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado at the Ernst Leitz Museum.
The history of Leica: from 35mm rangefinder camera to the Huawei P20 triple lens smartphone
History of Leica (video) and “20 fascinating facts you didn’t know about the camera maker”
