Did you know that the Optima-Museum in Erfurt isn’t just a museum? It’s a living testament to a fascinating industrial past. Right here before you stands a building steeped in history. It tells the story of the Optima Büromaschinenwerk. This factory once pulsed with the rhythm of skilled hands crafting typewriters. Generations worked within these walls.
The Optima-Museum’s story begins long before its current form. It’s rooted in the Erfurter Königlich Preußische Gewehrfabrik. Founded in 1862 this factory initially produced rifles. After World War I however the Treaty of Versailles forced a shift. The factory had to switch to civilian production. Typewriters became their focus.
On October 11 1919 the company was transformed into a Reichswerk. It later became part of Deutsche Werke AG Berlin. AEG acquired a 50% stake in 1923 eventually taking full control in 1929. The company produced the Mignon typewriter in Erfurt. Other models like the Filia Elite and Progress followed. The name changed to Olympia Büromaschinen Werke AG in 1937 after the introduction of the Olympia typewriter.
World War II brought another shift back to rifle production. Tragically a large part of the factory burned down on April 12 1945 after artillery fire. The Optima-Museum stands on land that bears the scars of this destruction. Yet from those ashes a new chapter arose.
In 1946 the Olympia Büromaschinen Werke was transformed into a Soviet joint-stock company. By 1950 it was under German administration. A legal battle with Olympia-Werke AG in Wilhelmshaven ensued. The Wilhelmshaven company was established by former employees who had fled to West Germany. The Erfurt factory ultimately lost the legal battle over the name Olympia. They adopted the name Optima. The Optima name was inspired by a typeface.
The Optima Büromaschinenwerk employed approximately 6900 people in the 1960s. It became part of the Robotron combine in 1978. The Optima-Museum showcases this rich legacy. The exhibits highlight the factory’s evolution and its significant contribution to Erfurt’s industrial history. It tells the story of innovation resilience and the enduring spirit of the people who worked within its walls.
The museum tells the tale of subsequent companies. Robotron Optima GmbH emerged in 1991 following the dissolution of the combine. Optima Bürotechnik GmbH was created in a management buyout in 1992. They produced typewriters in a new building in Peterborn. Sadly it too faced insolvency in 1999. Optima Schreibmaschinenwerk Erfurt GmbH followed. Founded in 2000 it produced electronic typewriters until 2004. It too declared bankruptcy. The production of typewriters then moved to Mexico. Even today the name Optima lives on in Erfurt though in a much smaller capacity.
The Optima-Museum therefore isn’t just a collection of artifacts. It’s a vibrant story of industry ingenuity and perseverance. It’s a reminder of the significant impact this factory had on Erfurt and beyond. Take a moment to reflect on the stories held within these walls. They are a testament to the human spirit and the power of innovation.