西门子的传承(1)

 A look back over the more than 150 years at Siemens reveals a spirit of invention, innovative strength and entrepreneurial daring. Much of the credit for these qualities is due to the notable figure of Werner von Siemens, his successors and to the countless individuals around the world who have worked for Siemens.

Learn more about the man who founded the company and his descendants.  


Personalities - Werner von Siemens

 


Werner von Siemens, inventor and founder of the "Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske"

 As a brilliant inventor and entrepreneur of vision in the second half of the 19th century, Werner von Siemens (1816-1892) contributed substantially not only to the new discipline of electrical engineering, but also to the development of the electrical industry. With the construction of his pointer telegraph he laid the foundation for the "Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske", the Siemens & Halske Telegraph Construction Company, which rapidly became an internationally operating company. Through the successful completion of highly complex technological projects involving considerable financial risk, such as the construction of the Indo-European telegraph line from London to Calcutta or the laying of large transatlantic cables, the company soon became known all over the world. In 1866 Werner von Siemens made what was probably his most important contribution to electrical engineering with his discovery of the dynamoelectric principle, thus paving the way for the use of electricity as a source of energy. In 1888 he was raised to the nobility by Emperor Friedrich III in acknowledgement of his services to science and society.

Personalities - Sir William Siemens

 

Sir William, 1875, inventor, head of the British Siemens subsidiary

 Wilhelm von Siemens (1823-1883), who was seven years younger than his brother Werner, was instrumental in establishing the company on international markets through his activities in England. From 1850 on, Wilhelm worked as an agent for Siemens & Halske in London. The independent British subsidiary "Siemens, Halske & Co." was founded in 1858 under his management for the manufacture and laying of submarine cables. After successfully laying cables in the Mediterranean, the company achieved a breakthrough in the tough British telegraphy market. Wilhelm - who took English nationality and changed his name to William - was not only a businessman but was also known for his scientific research, publications and involvement in various associations. He was knighted by Queen Victoria a few months before his death in November 1883.

Personalities - Carl von Siemens


Carl von Siemens, ca.1860, head of the Russian Siemens subsidiary and senior partner of Siemens & Halske

 Carl von Siemens (1829-1906), who was 13 years younger than his brother Werner, traveled to Russia in 1853 to supervise the construction of the Russian telegraph network undertaken by Siemens & Halske. He soon proved himself to be a decisive and competent entrepreneur. Under his leadership the Russian business became a subsidiary in 1855 and established itself as an important pillar of the Berlin parent company. In 1869 Carl went to England, where he worked in the Siemens business run by his brother William for the next ten years. At the beginning of the 1880s he returned to St Petersburg and again improved the performance of the Russian business. After Werner von Siemens retired from company management, Carl became the senior partner at Siemens & Halske in the early 1890s. He was raised to the hereditary nobility by Czar Nicholas II in 1895.