Some men have a natural talent for science and are also able to turn that talent into a successful business. Many men have done this since, but German engineer Werner von Siemens was one of the first. Siemens, for whom the well-known telecommunications company is named, is seen as one of the most important visionaries in the history of the industry. His ideas were the basis for the company that grew to become a global giant in the field of communications. Werner came from a poor background and had to go through a lot of hard times before he could become an engineer. He joined the German Army to finish school, but he ended up making a big difference in the war by building communication channels that were years ahead of their time. Siemens will always be remembered as a person who worked hard and didn’t give up in order to reach his high goals. Siemens AG, a multinational telecommunications company that he started and in which most of the shares are still owned by his descendants, will be his most important legacy. Read on to learn more about this smart inventor and businessman’s life, works, and accomplishments.
Early years and childhood
Werner von Siemens was born on December 13, 1816, in the town of Gehrden. He was the son of Ferdinand Siemens, a poor farmer, and Eleonore, his wife. Carl Heinrich von Siemens and Carl Wilhelm Siemens were his younger brothers. Both of them joined Siemens and played important roles there.
Siemens went to the local school, where he was good at science. He wanted to go to the famous technical school “Bauakademie,” but his parents couldn’t afford it. Instead, in 1835, he went to the “School of Engineering” at the Prussian Military Academy to finish his education.
In 1837, a year before he graduated, he saw a telegraph for the first time at the “School of Engineering.” He immediately started thinking of ways it could be used for international communication.
Werner Siemens’s Career
During Germany’s war with Denmark in 1848, Siemens set up the lines for a telegraph connection between Berlin and Frankfurt. This showed how valuable he was as a soldier, but a year later, he quit the army to start making telegraphs.
On October 1, 1847, he and his two brothers, Carl Heinrich and Carl Wilhelm started their own business called “Telegraph-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske.” They were in charge of the business in Russia and England, respectively.
As the business grew, factories opened up in different parts of Europe. The main factories were in London, Paris, St. Petersburg, and Vienna.
Siemens’ ability to come up with new ideas, like the idea to insulate cables so that moisture couldn’t damage them, also made the company stronger. He had that idea in 1847, and it made his company’s products much more reliable.
While he was in charge of the company, “Telegraph-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske” was able to lay the cable that connected India to the rest of Europe. This was one of his biggest accomplishments in business.
In 1866, Werner von Siemens made another groundbreaking invention called the “self-excited generator.” This put an end to the industry’s use of steel magnets, which weren’t very good.
Werner von Siemens was in charge of the company for 43 years, from the time it was founded until 1890 when he retired. During this time, he completely changed the telegraph cable and telecommunications industries with his innovative leadership.
Works of note
Werner von Siemens’s best work was starting the “Siemens Company.” With his help, it grew to become one of the largest phone companies in the world.
Awards & Achievements
In 1888, German royalty gave him the title “von” and made him a noble because of his great work in telegraph communications.
Personal History and Legacies
In 1852, Werner von Siemens married Mathilde Duman. They had two sons, Arnold and Georg Wilhelm.
Werner von Siemens got married for the second time to his cousin Antonie Siemens in 1867, two years after his first wife Mathilde died.
Carl Dietrich and Carl Friedrich were their two children.
The well-known investor and business owner died in Berlin on December 6, 1892.
Estimated Net worth
Unknown.