The Stiftung manages the various Zeiss concerns and research activities, including the Carl Zeiss Optische Werkstätte, Jena and the Jenaer Glaswerke Schott & Genossen.ġ891–Ernst Abbe transferred his shares in the Zeiss Optische Werkstätte (Zeiss Optical Works) and the Schott Glaswerke (Schott Glass Works) to the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. Another Schott & Genossen Glaswerke is set up in Mainz.ġ889–Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (loosely translated as Carl Zeiss Foundation) is set up by Ernst Abbe one year after the death of Carl Zeiss. The company later changed its name to Jenaer Glaswerke Schott & Genossen. Otto Schott (1851-1935), a chemist specializing in glass manufacturing, sets up a workshop in Jena in 1882.ġ884– Otto Schott, Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss, and Roderich Zeiss establish Glastechnisches Laboratorium Schott & Genossen (Schott and Associates Glass Technology Laboratory). Better optics requires not just better theory but better glass.

Production increases at the workshop, and larger facilities are found on the outskirts of Jena in the early 1880s. Abbe becomes director of research at the Carl Zeiss Optische Werkstätte.ġ869–Zeiss and Abbe patent a device to illuminate objects under a microscope.ġ872–Abbe's study of the limits on sharp imaging caused by the wave nature of light leads to his formulation of the 'Abbe sine condition.' Abbe's theory of image formation becomes the basis for the design of high performance optics.ġ880s–The Zeiss microscopes built using Abbe's theory are widely praised. Zeiss and Abbe begin their collaboration. Optical elements were configured by trial and error rather in accordance with scientific theory.ġ866–Zeiss persuades Ernst Abbe (1840-1905), a lecturer in physics at the University of Jena, to develop a mathematical foundation for designing microscope objectives. The full name of the firm would become Carl Zeiss Optische Werkstätte, Jena (Carl Zeiss Optical Works, Jena).ġ847–microscope production begins, first with simple microscopes and then compound microscopes. Instruments made by the firm are signed 'Zeiss' or 'Carl Zeiss' in cursive lettering. 1846–Carl Zeiss (1816-1888) establishes a workshop in Jena to make and sell optical and fine mechanical apparatus.

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