Leica Camera AG is a leading German optical company that has
been designing and developing 35 mm cameras since 1913, and
manufacturing them in series production since 1925. Leica Camera
AG is also responsible for Leica Binocular production, Leica
began producing binoculars in 1907. The company, formerly Ernst
Leitz GmbH, is now three companies: Leica Camera AG, which
produces cameras; Leica Geosystems AG which produces geodetic
equipment; and Leica Microsystems GmbH, which produces
microscopes. Leica Camera AG has production plants in Germany
and Portugal, the headquarters of Leica Camera AG is situated in
Solms, Germany. |Carl Kellner (Image rights)| - 1849: the
mathematician Carl Kellner founds a company in Wetzlar which
produces microscopes - 1855: after Kellner's death his widow
leads the company - 1865: the precision mechanic Ernst Leitz
becomes partner - 1869: Ernst Leitz becomes chief of the company
- 1887: the company produces its 10,000th microscope - 1913:
Oskar Barnack become the head of R&D - 1920