Golden Czech Hands

ŠKODA AUTO is a traditional company with more than 100 year s of continuous production. Do you know the others as well?

hen Václav Laurin and Václav Klement launched their business in 1895, nobody knew they had laid the foundations of a globally successful carmaker that would still be operating 125 years later. In addition, this company has been producing its means of transportation for 125 years at the same location where its founders launched it – in Mladá Boleslav. In 1895, bicycles were its only sales items. Four years later, motorcycles were added, and finally in 1905, the first car called the VOITURETTE A left the factory lines. For 115 years, the company has successfully continued in its visionary activities. Thanks to them, the company is successfully transforming its fascinating past into a successful future. Radka Vosáhlo

Thanks to their vision, engineering skills and perseverance, the company’s founders rank among the pioneers of individual mobility. Thanks to them, the carmaker has an exceptional history that has provided the basis for its successful operation to this day.

Andrea Frydlová  

gkm – škoda museum

Rudolf Diesel patents his diesel engine

Carmakers begin using air-filled tyres

Alfred Nobel signs his will, according to which the Nobel Prize is later awarded

In Paris, the Lumière brothers screen films in public for the very first time

Traditional Beer, Crayons and Shoes

The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries was a time of great change

Over the previous hundred years, the world had undergone an evolution that moved passengers from their horse saddles to railway car compartments and, at the end of the century, behind the steering wheels of their first cars. They were rather carts but aroused a mixture of emotions ranging from enthusiastic reactions to panic. Czech entrepreneurs and pioneers were there and became famous not only thanks to their car production.

Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth 

Czech crayons were a surprisingly successful export item. Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth is one of the world’s biggest producers of office and art supplies. As far back as 1790, Josef Hardtmuth founded his pencil-making company in Vienna. A few years later, in 1802, his company had pencil lead – something very common today – patented. Later on, the company moved to České Budějovice.

Pilsner Urquell

The roots of Pilsner Urquell date back to 1842, when brewer Josef Groll brewed the first batch of his famous “Pilsner” at the burgher brewery. The Pilsen Brewery is one of the last in Europe to maintain and develop the cooperage craft.

Baťa

The history of the Baťa Group also dates to the end of the 19th century. As early as 1900, the Zlín shoe factory with its 120 employees was one of the eight biggest shoe factories in Bohemia and Moravia. Today, Baťa sells on average 270 million pairs of shoes per year through its network of companies in more than 70 countries.

Pioneers of Motoring from the Czech Lands and Abroad

Mercedes

Two talented engineers, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, laid the foundations for their brand as well. Gottlieb Daimler had his self-propelled vehicle patented in 1885, and Carl Benz one year later. Albeit separately, both were dedicated to the development of motoring: Benz in Mannheim and Daimler in Stuttgart. Their companies merged in 1926 because of the poor condition of the German economy at the time. 

TATRA

Its roots date back to 1850 when Ignác Šustala started his Kopřivnice company producing carriages and buggies. In 1898, the Präsident car was built in Kopřivnice. Three years later, the new joint-stock company, Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft, was founded, which ensured critical funds for car production.

Renault 

Further proof that the end of the 19th century was great for business is found in France’s Renault brand, which was established three years after L&K, in 1898. It was founded by three brothers: Fernand, Marcel and Louis Renault. As good businessmen knowing that successful promotion was an absolute necessity, they personally participated in the first car race

Opel 

The history of the Opel brand began in 1862, when its founder, Adam Opel, embarked on the production of sewing machines and bicycles. Only a few years after his death, in 1899, did the company start producing passenger cars; however, the first of them did not leave the factory until 1902.