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Siemens is celebrating the 200th birthday of the company's founder
Werner von Siemens, born on December 13, 1816, would have turned 200 years old this year. On November 29, Siemens was marking the anniversary of its company founder's birth by holding a gala event in the Mosaikhalle (Mosaic Hall) at its headquarters in Berlin. In addition to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, more than 100 prominent guests representing government, business, science, culture and the media were present. Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG, opened the ceremony. Nathalie von Siemens, a great-great-granddaughter of Werner von Siemens, Managing Director and spokesperson of the Board of Siemens Stiftung and a member of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, as well as Gerhard Cromme, Chairman of the company's Supervisory Board, will also gave speeches in honor of the company founder.

Together with Georg Halske, he established Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske, a company of international standing already within his lifetime. With inventions like the electric pointer telegraph, the electric generator and the world's first electric streetcar system, Werner von Siemens had a major influence on the technological development of today's world. His passion for engineering excellence and his relentless drive to create trailblazing innovations still shape the enterprise he founded. With around 351,000 employees in over 200 countries worldwide, Siemens AG is now a leading supplier in the growth fields of electrification, automation and digitalization.

Press Pictures

Werner von Siemens as an artillery officer, ca. 1843

Werner von Siemens couldn't afford a university education. With the goal of studying the natural sciences and technology, he joined the Prussian Army late in 1834. Beginning in November 1835, the young officer cadet attended the army's Artillery and Engineering School in Berlin, which provided him with a higher education – and a solid foundation for his future work in what was then the new field of electrical engineering.

Werner von Siemens, ca. 1847

At the age of 30, Werner von Siemens teamed up with precision mechanic Johann Georg Halske to found "Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske" (Siemens & Halske Telegraph Construction Company) in Berlin. He energetically pushed the company's expansion and, driven by his vision of "an enterprise of world standing comparable to that of Fugger", opened his first branches in other European countries in the 1850s.

Videos

Life of Werner von Siemens
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      Life of Werner von Siemens

      Video about the life of Werner von Siemens on the occasion of his 200th birthday celebration. A portrait of the company founder as an entrepreneur and inventor. His passion for engineering excellence and his relentless drive to create trailblazing innovations still shape the enterprise he founded.

      Further Information

      Contact

      Peter Jefimiec

      Siemens AG

      +49 (911) 895-7975