How did a company known for rubber end up in the world of airships? You’re standing before the Ehemaliges Pförtnerhaus der Clouth Werke Tor 2, a gateway to a company with a fascinating past. This seemingly simple gatehouse, part of the Clouth Gummiwarenfabrik, was once a bustling entry point for a company at the forefront of rubber technology. But the story of Clouth goes beyond just rubber. Franz Clouth, the company’s founder, had a keen interest in innovation. In the late 19th century, he saw the potential of airships. Clouth collaborated with Ferdinand Graf Zeppelin, providing the rubberized silk for the outer hull of the first Zeppelin airships. Driven by his passion, Clouth even built his own airship, the “Clouth,” in 1910. While not as grand as Zeppelin’s creations, it marked Clouth’s foray into the world of aviation. Sadly, this venture was short-lived. The airship production was sold to Berlin in the same year. But the legacy of innovation continued within these walls, focusing on rubber technology that shaped Cologne’s industrial landscape for over a century. The Ehemaliges Pförtnerhaus der Clouth Werke Tor 2 serves as a reminder of this spirit, a testament to a time when rubber and airships were at the forefront of a changing world.
Skulpturenpark Stammheim
A golden winged pug surveys the Rhine. That’s how many remember the Skulpturenpark Stammheim. This isn’t just any park. It’s