greyelm Posted February 7, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was flicking through a bound 1948 edition of National Geographic and came across this photograph of a Leitz factory apprentice. I wonder if he stayed with Leitz and if he is stll alive today, he must be around 76 years of age. He must have some interesting stories to tell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 Hi greyelm, Take a look here Leitz apprentice 1948. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mikebidwell Posted February 7, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 7, 2011 Yep!!! I wonder how many other boys followed in their fathers footsteps. I did. What a shame that we haven't the industries now for our 'grandchildren' to follow in our footsteps Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted February 7, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 7, 2011 Nice find! Just think - four years as an apprentice. I wonder how many people have the patience for that now? I think I know the answer... Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 7, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks for posting !!! A very expressive and evocative picture, within the great tradition of NGM (regrettably, my collection starts from 1951... )... and let's no forget we are in Germany of 1948... what can be the personal stories of those two people ? How the young boy lived his first years ? Which can be the sentiments of the experienced worker who, after the tragedy of his country, finally sees a future in transmitting his skills to a young worker ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted February 7, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 7, 2011 Obviously I love Zeiss and Leica, but I must point out the downside of son following father following grandfather. Just one decade after this picture was taken, the center of the photographic universe shifted from Germany to Japan with the release of the Nikon F, never to shift back. Leica soared in the 1950s, but was totally unprepared for the 1960s. I am so thankful that Leica precision and tradition has given us the M9 and S2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 7, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 7, 2011 Obviously I love Zeiss and Leica, but I must point out the downside of son following father following grandfather. Just one decade after this picture was taken, the center of the photographic universe shifted from Germany to Japan with the release of the Nikon F, never to shift back. Leica soared in the 1950s, but was totally unprepared for the 1960s. I am so thankful that Leica precision and tradition has given us the M9 and S2. That's a point, by sure... and the same happened to England with its world-class motorcycles industry... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted February 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I can't help thinking that the demise of many european industries was fueled by the rising cost of labour in the years after WW2. I grew up in the 50s and remember how Japanese products were regarded as cheap copies but it didn't take too many years before they were producing low cost high quality products due to their lower labour costs at the time. I am typing this on an iPad manufactured in China where labour costs are presently lower. Where next? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 8, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2011 Apprenticeship seems to be alive in Germany today. I recently saw an article that young people from Eastern Europe were being invited to go through that educational experience to ensure an available qualified labor force for the future. Apparently not enough young Germans apply to fill the available slots. Especially, small and medium size companies seem to depend on it and offer such apprenticeships. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted February 8, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 8, 2011 Germany is the leader in Europe for exporting, the market for machineries is hold by them since 150 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuxBob Posted February 8, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 8, 2011 I can't help thinking that the demise of many european industries was fueled by the rising cost of labour in the years after WW2. I grew up in the 50s and remember how Japanese products were regarded as cheap copies but it didn't take too many years before they were producing low cost high quality products due to their lower labour costs at the time. I am typing this on an iPad manufactured in China where labour costs are presently lower. Where next? But wasn't it more than that? Didn't the Japanese products have new features like electric starting and a level of quality and reliability combined with attractive designs that made them consumer rather than enthusiasts products. Following the motorbike onslaught it was said that they could not repeat the trick in the car industry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted February 8, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 8, 2011 That's a point, by sure... and the same happened to England with its world-class motorcycles industry... ... and every other industry! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauklis Posted February 8, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 8, 2011 I was flicking through a bound 1948 edition of National Geographic and came across this photograph of a Leitz factory apprentice. I wonder if he stayed with Leitz and if he is stll alive today, he must be around 76 years of age. He must have some interesting stories to tell. Hi greyelm, You might possibly get an answer to your question by showing this photo in the German section of the forum. (I would be really interested in it). It is these little things, e.g. learning about the biography of the persons who make "our" products and the possibility of having met them in the past, which make Leica different from the big players, where the workers are or seem to be nameless. Someone we know might know/have known this boy and that contributes to that feeling of Leica-family-solidarity. It is well possible, that forum members, who live(d) in (the area of) Wetzlar or even workerd there, have met this young man. Regards krauklis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 8, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 8, 2011 But wasn't it more than that? Didn't the Japanese products have new features like electric starting and a level of quality and reliability combined with attractive designs that made them consumer rather than enthusiasts products.Following the motorbike onslaught it was said that they could not repeat the trick in the car industry. For motorbikes that's undoubtly true : they created a market of consumers who like a big motorbike without the need to take care, adjust, verify oil, check carburators, clean spark plugs, check brakes and chain any time you want to do 100 miles... For photography was a mix of factor in which the combination of smart engineering and lower factory cost, together with the decision to believe strong in SLR, that made the trick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 8, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 8, 2011 W. Edwards Deming - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mr. Deming made a difference too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted February 8, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 8, 2011 For motorbikes that's undoubtly true : they created a market of consumers who like a big motorbike without the need to take care, adjust, verify oil, check carburators, clean spark plugs, check brakes and chain any time you want to do 100 miles... . And retightning the screws !!! I know a lot about : Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/143535-leitz-apprentice-1948/?do=findComment&comment=1581847'>More sharing options...
greyelm Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted February 8, 2011 Hi greyelm, You might possibly get an answer to your question by showing this photo in the German section of the forum. (I would be really interested in it). It is these little things, e.g. learning about the biography of the persons who make "our" products and the possibility of having met them in the past, which make Leica different from the big players, where the workers are or seem to be nameless. Someone we know might know/have known this boy and that contributes to that feeling of Leica-family-solidarity. It is well possible, that forum members, who live(d) in (the area of) Wetzlar or even workerd there, have met this young man. Regards krauklis Hi Krauklis I've just posted this over in the German section (Google translation I'm afraid), we'll see what turns up. Malcolm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 8, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 8, 2011 Hi Krauklis I've just posted this over in the German section (Google translation I'm afraid), we'll see what turns up. Malcolm http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-sammler-historica/165181-leitz-1948-a.html I think the Google translation - though poor - still gets the intended message across. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauklis Posted February 8, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 8, 2011 Hi Krauklis I've just posted this over in the German section (Google translation I'm afraid), we'll see what turns up. Malcolm Does the google-translater tell you, what "poseidon" in #2 in the German thread said? If not and if you don't find anybody to help you understand his remarks and those which will follow, feel free and tell us. I'm pretty sure there will always be someone to help you, (including me). Poseidon knows that building and the room/workshop and he will show the photo to people who used to work there. krauklis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 8, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 8, 2011 He also pointed out that Leitz used to run a first rate, very extensive apprenticeship program, including their own school and teachers, that also benefitted many other companies in the Wetzlar area. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted February 8, 2011 Does the google-translater tell you, what "poseidon" in #2 in the German thread said? If not and if you don't find anybody to help you understand his remarks and those which will follow, feel free and tell us. I'm pretty sure there will always be someone to help you, (including me).Poseidon knows that building and the room/workshop and he will show the photo to people who used to work there. krauklis I managed to get the gist of the reply using Google but your help would be appreciated. I am hopeful that poseidon will be successful in getting more information when he shows the picture to his contacts. Malcolm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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