Could you imagine a farmer boy near Hanover who became the founder of a global tech company? That transformation is what the Siemens-Gedenkstein commemorates. It marks the birthplace of Werner von Siemens.
Welcome friends to the Siemens-Gedenkstein. This stone is a tribute to a visionary. Werner Siemens significantly shaped the world of electrical engineering.
Werner Siemens was born in Lenthe near Hanover on December 13 1816. He was one of fourteen children. His family was not wealthy. Werner showed an early interest in science and engineering. Money was tight. A university education was out of reach. He became an artillery officer in the Prussian army.
The army gave Siemens technical training. His superiors quickly noticed his abilities. They praised his engineering knowledge and inventiveness. Even in the military, Siemens pursued business ventures. His brother Wilhelm had patented a gold electroplating method in England. Selling those rights gave Werner a steady income. This allowed him to conduct his own research.
Telegraphy fascinated him. It was still relatively new. Siemens recognized its future potential. He created a pointer telegraph. It was much better than existing devices. Siemens saw its commercial possibilities. In October 1847, he partnered with Johann Georg Halske. Together, they started Telegraphen-Bau-Anstalt von Siemens & Halske in Berlin.
The company quickly grew. Its first major success was building a telegraph line between Berlin and Frankfurt in 1848. Siemens left the army in 1849 to focus on his business. He understood the importance of international presence. Siemens opened branches in London in 1850 and St. Petersburg in 1855. His brothers Wilhelm and Carl managed these offices. They took on key roles in the expanding company. By 1855, Siemens & Halske was already an international business.
In 1866, Siemens made a groundbreaking discovery. He discovered the dynamo-electric principle. This led to the invention of the dynamo machine. This invention launched the age of electrical engineering. Siemens himself coined the German term “Elektrotechnik”. He understood the impact of his invention. “Engineering now has the means to produce electric currents of unlimited strength cheaply and easily” he said. His company specialized in drives, lighting, and power engineering. Siemens & Halske grew into a large corporation. By 1890, it employed 5,500 people.
Werner von Siemens was ennobled in 1888. He was also a pioneer in social policy. He believed motivated employees were key to success. Siemens introduced benefits that were ahead of their time. In 1872, he launched a company pension scheme. This was before national insurance legislation. He also implemented a nine-hour workday. This was shorter than the usual ten to twelve hours. In 1866, he started a profit-sharing plan called the “stocktaking bonus”.
Siemens died in Berlin on December 6 1892. He also contributed to public affairs. From 1862 to 1866, he was a member of the Prussian parliament. In 1879, he co-founded the Electrotechnical Society in Berlin. He also established a foundation to support the Physical-Technical Institute of the Reich.
Johann Georg Siemens provided crucial start-up capital. He invested 6,842 thalers to launch the company. He was Werner von Siemens’ cousin. His contribution helped turn Siemens into the global powerhouse it is today.
The Siemens-Gedenkstein stands as a symbol. It shows how humble beginnings can lead to world-changing innovation. It is a reminder of Werner von Siemens’ vision and his lasting impact on our world. Take a moment to appreciate the legacy of a man born not far from here. His ideas continue to shape our lives today.