A fascinating story... - 1874 - 1902

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1874 - 1902

1874	Robert Schindler (pictured) and Eduard Villiger establish the collective joint partnership Schindler & Villiger. A mechanical engineering workshop is built on the river Reuss Island in Lucerne, Switzerland, for the production of lifting equipment and machines of all types.
1878	The first factory regulations include a 63½-hour week, a 14-day notice period, and accident insurance.
1883	Move to the newly built 300m² plant at Sentimattstrasse in Lucerne. The products are laundry equipment and water-driven elevators.
1890	Delivery of first hydraulic freight elevator.
1892	The first electric elevator with belt drive is built. Eduard Villiger leaves the partnership. The company continues under the name of Robert Schindler, Machinery Manufacturer.
1894	Introduction of the 59-hour week.
1895	The plant is enlarged by an iron foundry.
1899	Construction of elevators with worm gears and direct electric-motor drive. Control is by means of a pull rope.
1901	Robert Schindler sells the company to his nephew Alfred Schindler (pictured) who continues to run it as sole proprietor as his predecessor did, but under the new name of Alfred Schindler.
1902	The first electric passenger elevator with automatic push-button control is delivered.

Archive material

Schindler's history in full (pdf)
Schindler on the move (pdf)

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