ZIEHL-ABEGG

Emil Ziehl, the founder of ZIEHL-ABEGG, was born on May 22, 1873, and passed away on June 1, 1939, with a brilliant and visionary mind.

In fact, a completely different destiny awaited young Emil Ziehl.

Originally, he was supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps and work in the family’s blacksmith and carriage-making shop in Brandenburg.

His delicate painting of a girl convinced his father to send him to the Raku Art School.

After graduating, Emil, who was highly talented both artistically and technically, pursued further studies at a technical college.

Following the recommendation of his university supervisor, Emil began working as a design engineer at AEG, where shortly afterward he started developing electric motors.

After moving to Berliner Maschinenbau AG (formerly known as Schwartzkopf), he developed the first electric gyroscopic system with an external rotor motor.

He received the American patent for this invention in 1900 and the German patent in 1904.

For a long time, it was clear to Emil Ziehl that his future lay in the development of outstanding electric motors.

Emil Ziehl Painting a Girl with a Cat

In 1910, Emil Ziehl, together with Swiss partner Edward Ziehl, founded ZIEHL-ABEGG.

However, Ziehl left the company again in the same year.

Since all business papers, signs, and other materials were already completed and issued, Emil decided to stick to the company name ZIEHL-ABEGG and the logo he had designed (“Z” with “A” underneath).

The Blue Era Begins

Within a few years, ZIEHL-ABEGG became a pioneer in innovative generators.

For example, the famous Graf Zeppelin airship was equipped with ZIEHL-ABEGG high-voltage generators.

A letter of appreciation from the airship’s manufacturer, Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, which still exists today, documents their highly reliable quality.

After Emil Ziehl’s death, his 28-year-old son, Günter Ziehl, took over the management of the company.

After the war, Günter Ziehl had to dismantle all production and deliver it to the Soviet Union.

Using his knowledge and some important documents he managed to save, he successfully escaped the occupied zone.

In 1949, the ZIEHL-ABEGG headquarters was finally relocated to Künzelsau, where the company, a world leader in advanced technology, still has its headquarters.

At that time, as now, ZIEHL-ABEGG’s high innovation capability has been the key to its success.

With new advances in biomimetic product design and innovative drive technologies, ZIEHL-ABEGG has always been at the forefront of technical progress, staying one step ahead of the market.

With the awareness of building tomorrow’s technology today, guided by the pursuit of “superior quality” and “optimal efficiency,” a unique class of innovation was established.

Always One Step Ahead of the Future

The special edition “ZIEHL-ABEGG 1910–2024” offers a look into more than 110 years of this company’s eventful history.

With a clear vision to create a worthy world for future generations, ZIEHL-ABEGG has been developing innovative, environmentally friendly technologies for over a century.

Focus areas include:

• Sustainability
• Climate Protection
• Resource Conservation

Discover how the company, founded by Emil Ziehl in 1910, evolved from a pioneer in electrical engineering to a leader in modern ventilation, drive, and control technology.

This publication highlights key milestones, technological achievements, and continuous adaptation to the evolving market environment.

Credible insights into the company’s development and historical stories show how ZIEHL-ABEGG combines tradition and progress.