This impressive book tells the story of the Leitz family – the entrepreneurs who founded Leica Camera AG and strived to build the Leica brand’s success
The book “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” by Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz tells the fascinating story of the Leitz family’s four generations who paved the way for the company’s success and secured the Leica brand’s iconic status in the world of photography. First published in German in 2020, this impressive book is now also available in English to mark the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced Leica 35 mm still camera (Leica I).
In his book, Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz provides personal insights into the history of the Leitz family of entrepreneurs, whose visionary decisions and wide-ranging commitment shaped the field of photography and had a decisive influence on how the technology has developed. The company’s history began in 1869 with Ernst Leitz I (1843–1920), who took over the Optical Institute in Wetzlar from Carl Kellner, continued running it under his own name and, by the turn of the century, had developed it into a global company. He was succeeded by Ernst Leitz II (1871–1956), who, with his decision to mass-produce the Leica camera, added a completely new camera system to the company’s production portfolio, thus bringing about the birth of 35 mm photography. The third Managing Director, Ernst Leitz III (1906–1979), together with his brothers Ludwig and Günther Leitz, secured the company’s economic success during the post-war period, in particular by further developing research into glass, opening the second Leica production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão in Portugal, and introducing new measuring instruments based on precision optics. Dr Knut Kühn-Leitz (1936–2020) became the last member of the Leitz family to join the company management in 1971 and set about successfully restructuring the company. At the same time, he forged several international collaborations, including with Wild Heerbrugg AG, which acquired the family’s company shares in 1985.
The publication “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” brings to life the Leitz family’s entrepreneurial success story, which Leica Camera AG is still writing to this day. The book captivates with its exceptional print quality, lively narrative style and numerous fascinating images, which include many rare photos from the company and family archive.
The book “Four Generations Leitz in Company Management 1869–1986” can be purchased from Leica Stores worldwide.
100 years of Leica: Witness to a century
In 2025, Leica Camera AG is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. First presented to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it was the first 35mm camera to be mass-produced and exceeded all expectations. Thanks to its compact and handy format, it opened up completely new photographic applications. Under the motto ‘100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century’, Leica Camera AG is celebrating this camera that revolutionised the world of photography around the globe. At international events organised by the Leica country organisations in the major cities of Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, cultural projects and extraordinary special product editions will be presented throughout the year. The highlight of the celebrations is the anniversary week at the company's headquarters in Wetzlar in June. In addition, there will be high-calibre exhibitions in the worldwide network of Leica Galleries with works by outstanding photographers.
Please find further information at:
Leica Camera AG
Ann-Kristin Löhr
Global PR Coordination
E-Mail: Ann-Kristin.Loehr@leica-camera.com
À propos de Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG est un fabricant haut de gamme d’appareils photo, d’objectifs et de produits d’observation. Entreprise internationale, elle peut s’enorgueillir d’une histoire qui couvre plus d’un siècle et demi. Dans le contexte de sa stratégie de développement, elle a étendu ses activités au Mobile Imaging (smartphones), ainsi qu’à la conception de verres de lunettes et de montres de qualité supérieure. Elle est également représentée dans le segment du home cinéma par ses projecteurs.
Le groupe Leica Camera AG se compose de son siège situé à Wetzlar, en Allemagne, d’un deuxième site de production à Vila Nova de Famalicão, au Portugal, et d’un réseau de plus de 120 Leica Stores dans le monde. L’entreprise emploie plus de 2400 collaboratrices et collaborateurs et a réalisé un chiffre d’affaires de 554 millions d’euros sur l’année financière 2023/24.
La marque Leica, c’est une qualité supérieure, ainsi qu’un savoir-faire et un design industriel allemands, le tout combiné à des technologies innovantes. Un élément important de la culture de la marque est la promotion de la photographie par le biais de près de trente galeries Leica, des Leica Akademies ainsi que de prix internationaux tels que le Leica Hall of Fame Award et le Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).