Today, Lecia released a new book called “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986,” which can be purchased from Leica Stores worldwide (more Leica books can be found here). Here are the details:
This impressive book tells the story of the Leitz family – the entrepreneurs who founded Leica Camera AG and strived to build the Leica brand’s success
The book “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” by Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz tells the fascinating story of the Leitz family’s four generations who paved the way for the company’s success and secured the Leica brand’s iconic status in the world of photography. First published in German in 2020, this impressive book is now also available in English to mark the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced Leica 35 mm still camera (Leica I).
In his book, Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz provides personal insights into the history of the Leitz family of entrepreneurs, whose visionary decisions and wide-ranging commitment shaped the field of photography and had a decisive influence on how the technology has developed. The company’s history began in 1869 with Ernst Leitz I (1843–1920), who took over the Optical Institute in Wetzlar from Carl Kellner, continued running it under his own name and, by the turn of the century, had developed it into a global company. He was succeeded by Ernst Leitz II (1871–1956), who, with his decision to mass-produce the Leica camera, added a completely new camera system to the company’s production portfolio, thus bringing about the birth of 35 mm photography. The third Managing Director, Ernst Leitz III (1906–1979), together with his brothers Ludwig and Günther Leitz, secured the company’s economic success during the post-war period, in particular by further developing research into glass, opening the second Leica production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão in Portugal, and introducing new measuring instruments based on precision optics. Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz (1936–2020) became the last member of the Leitz family to join the company management in 1971 and set about successfully restructuring the company. At the same time, he forged several international collaborations, including with Wild Heerbrugg AG, which acquired the family’s company shares in 1985.
The publication “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” brings to life the Leitz family’s entrepreneurial success story, which Leica Camera AG is still writing to this day. The book captivates with its exceptional print quality, lively narrative style and numerous fascinating images, which include many rare photos from the company and family archive.
The book “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” can be purchased from Leica Stores worldwide.
