Heinrich Fröbel
The company Heinrich Fröbel was founded in 1880 in Hamburg by master mechanic Heinrich Fröbel. Initially, the business operated as a small workshop registered at ABC-Straße 30. By 1890, it was already listed in city directories as a barometer factory (Barometerfabrik), indicating a growth in production and a clear specialization in high-quality meteorological instruments, particularly barometers and thermometers.
Judging by the surviving instruments and catalogues, Fröbel’s products were distinguished by a high level of craftsmanship. Early examples feature elements of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), especially in their decorative details and dial designs. However, by the 1920s and 1930s, the visual language of the company’s products had changed significantly. Catalogues from this period present barometers in austere wooden cases with geometric forms, combining elements of Art Deco, Functionalism, and even Bauhaus. Rectangular and hexagonal shapes dominate, with strict symmetry and restrained expressiveness in wood grain textures that emphasize the understated elegance of the design. This aesthetic reflects the company’s effort to align with contemporary tastes and the practical needs of both residential and office interiors.
After 1902, the company changed ownership and became known as Heinrich Fröbel Nachfolger, transitioning from a craft-based operation into a trading company and relocating to Carolinenstraße 2a. In 1907, it was reorganized as a limited partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft), but this structure was dissolved in 1924. The brand continued under the ownership of Johann Heinrich Kock, and from 1934, under Theodor Johannes Wirth, who was affiliated with the firm Stäcker & Olms. Despite the changes in ownership, the company name remained unchanged. The last known address of the firm was Margarethenstraße 48, as listed in the 1937 directory. After World War II, the company ceased to appear in official records.
