The history of Jenoptik
Statue of Carl Zeiß in the city center of Jena
In 1846, Carl Zeiß opened his optical workshop in Jena and started one year later with the production of simple microscopes, which gained success rapidly on the market and were constantly improved. Especially the emerging development of biology and medicine led to great demand for better instruments. To calculate the objectives, he contacted the University of Jena and the cooperation with Ernst Abbe began in 1866. The issue of suitable optical glass was solved by Otto Schott, who moved to Jena in 1882.
The Jena triumvirate of entrepreneur Zeiß, mathematician Abbe and materials scientist Schott – and thus the ideal combination for high-tech company foundations to this day – presented the basis for today's "Optical Valley" Jena.
- Read more in the chronicle of Jenoptik.
The "Optical Valley" of Jena, Germany
Jena is internationally known as the origin and location of the modern optical industry. Due to its location in the idyllic Saale valley, the term "optical valley" has spread far beyond the city border. The origin of this term – quite obviously – is "Silicon Valley" in California.
