Company Time Line - History of Rolleiflex, Franke und Heidecke, DHW-Fototechnik

I pulled this time line from one of DHW-Fototechnik's brochures and thought it was interesting.

1920 ■ Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke establish the “Werkstatt für Feinmechanik und Optik – Franke und Heidecke“ in Brunswick, Germany. 

1926 ■ First use of Rollei name in conjunction with Rolleidoscop stereoscopic roll-film camera. 

1928 ■ Presentation of first twin-lens Rolleiflex, a roll-film mirror-reflex camera (10 prototypes). 

1929 ■ Introduction of twin-lens 6 x 6cm Rolleiflex, which for years to come was to have a profound effect not only on camera design in general, but on photography as well. 

1930 ■ Commissioning of new factory in Brunswick, Germany. 

1933 ■ Introduction of Rolleicord camera, a budget-priced version of the Rolleiflex. 

1937 ■ At the Paris World Exhibition, Reinhold Heidecke receives the Grand Prix for outstanding services in camera building (Rolleiflex Automat). 

1956 ■ The one millionth Rolleiflex leaves the factory. 

1959 ■ Presentation of Tele-Rolleiflex with 135mm Zeiss Sonnar f/4. 

1960 ■ Launching of Rollei P11, the world‘s first dual-format projector. 

1961 ■ Introduction of Wide-Angle Rolleiflex with 55mm Zeiss Distagon f/4. 

1963 ■ Launching of Rollei 16, the first camera not designed for the use of roll film. 

1966 ■ Presentation of Rolleiflex SL66 (first single-lens 6 x 6cm camera by Rollei). Presentation of Rollei 35 at photokina. In the following three decades, about three million cameras of this type would be sold. 

1967 ■ Start of production of automatic computer flash units. 

1968 ■ The P35 marks the entry into the slide-projector market. 

1970 ■ Launch of first 35mm reflex camera, the Rolleiflex SL35. 

1973 ■ Introduction of Rollei P66A as first automatic 6 x 6cm projector. 

1974 ■ World première of Rolleiflex SLX. The first electronic medium-format camera system was the precursor of today‘s Rolleiflex 6000 System. 

1976 ■ Presentation of the P3800 dissolve projector – the precursor of Rolleivision Twin MSC-300 Projectors. 

1980 ■ Presentation of SL2000F as the first 35mm reflex camera with interchangeable magazines, double viewfinder system and integral motor drive. 

1982 ■ Rollei Fototechnic GmbH is established. 

1986 ■ Introduction of Rolleivision 66 AV as a professional 6 x 6cm slide projector. The same year saw the launching of the RolleiMetric System opening up new perspectives in close-range surveying. 

1987 ■ Revival of world-renowned twin-lens reflexes with Rolleiflex 2.8 GX with TTL exposure and flash metering. 

1988 ■ Presentation of Rolleiflex 6008 as a leading medium-format camera. 

1991 ■ The Digital ScanPack marks Rollei‘s entry into digital photography. The Prego AF is the first modern compact Rollei camera with AF. 

1993 ■ The new generation of Rolleivision Twin MSC-300 dissolve projectors gets ready for marketing. 

1994 ■ Expansion of Digital Imaging System with high-speed ChipPack Back. 

1995 ■ Presentation of Rolleiflex 6008 Integral, the most advanced 6 x 6cm medium-format professional camera. 

1996 ■ Another important addition to digital photography, the DSP-104 Digital Back. 

1998 ■ At photokina, presentation of compact X-Act2 monorail-camera system. With the nano models, ASP are included in the line of cameras. 

2000 ■ The company has been in existence for 80 years. 

2001 ■ Introduction of five new compact cameras as well as of AFM 35, a new series of dissolve projectors and new digital cameras. 

2002 ■ Extension of product line by six new compact cameras, the digital Rollei d530 flex reflex camera, the Rolleiflex 6008 AF (as the first 6 x 6cm medium-format camera with autofocus) and a new 35mm camera. In addition, presentation of Rollei 35 RF (rangefinder camera) and Rolleiflex 4.0 FW (Wide-Angle Rolleiflex) at photokina. 

2003 ■ Expansion of line of digital cameras. 

2004 ■ New positioning of company under „The New Rollei“ slogan. In addition to several new digital cameras, MP3 players are part of the product line up. Rollei-Produktion GmbH founded as a separate company for professional medium-format cameras and projectors. 

2005 ■ Re-establishment of Franke und Heidecke GmbH, from Rollei Produktion GmbH at Brunswick production site. 

2006 ■ Rollei GmbH concentrates exclusively on digital cameras and multimedia products and moves its seat to Berlin. Franke & Heidecke develops new problem solutions for professional users, organizes sales and for the first time exhibits at 2006 photokina. Product-Highlight: Rolleiflex Hy6. 

2007 ■ Like its sister models Sinar, Hy6 and Leaf AFi, the Rolleiflex Hy6 is manufactured in series. 

New focal lengths are available as interchangeable lenses. 

2008 ■ Franke & Heidecke supplies the new cameras to its distribution and cooperation partners. Presentation of new lenses and accessories for Rolleiflex Hy6 at photokina. 

2009 ■ DHW Fototechnik is established.