Otto Griessing
Encyclopedia
Otto Griessing was a German electronics engineer. He became known following his design of the so-called Volksempfänger
(People’s Receiver), one of the sets on display at the 10th German Radio Show (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin
) in August 1933. He designed the receiver at the request of Joseph Goebbels
, the German Propaganda Minister. More Volksempfängers were manufactured in Germany between 1933 and 1945 than any other model. The budget-priced Deutsche Kleinempfänger (German small receiver) was also widely known as the Volksempfänger.
Son of a Bavarian NCO
, he was educated in Munich, enlisting as a volunteer in 1914 and serving as a signaller. He reached the rank of lieutenant and saw active service on the eastern and western fronts. He was posted to the Near East
and interned following the armistice with Turkey. From 1919 he studied at Würzburg Polytechnic, now Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Würzburg-Schweinfurt (university of applied sciences).
Having an interest in radio technology, Griessing started work in Berlin with the firm, Erich F Huth, under the wing of its laboratory chief, Karl Rottgardt. A few years later he transferred to the regional broadcasting station at Munich, which he helped to develop. He was technical director of the private broadcaster ‘Deutsche Stunde’ (forerunner of the present Bayerischer Rundfunk
) when this started its transmissions on 30 March 1924. Between January 1926 and August 1927, during the initial development stage, he was the head and technical director of a firm manufacturing communications equipment in Dobbiaco, Italy.
From September 1927 he worked in Berlin-Schönenberg at Georg Seibt, soon being promoted to the post of chief designer. In the spring of 1933, at the request of Josef Goebbels, he began work on the development of a reasonably priced but high-quality broadcast receiver. Competitors were the Berlin firms Blaupunkt
(previously “Ideal Radio”) and Telefunken
. The selection committee opted for his Model VE 301. The design of the cabinet was principally the work of Walter Maria Kersting
. The set received high praise at the 1933 radio show (Funkaustellung) and, at 76 RM
, was half the price of an equivalent receiver; by the autumn of that year 200,000 sets had been sold. At the 16th Berlin Radio and TV Show, (Grosse Deutsche Funk-und Fernseh-Ausstellung Berlin) Griessing, wearing SA
uniform, was awarded a prize of over 10,000 RM
.
The above is a translation based on the article in the German Wikipedia at :de:Otto Griessing
Volksempfänger
The Volksempfänger was a range of radio receivers developed by engineer Otto Griessing at the request of Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels....
(People’s Receiver), one of the sets on display at the 10th German Radio Show (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin
Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin
The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Between 1924 and 1939 it was an annual event, but as from 1950 it was organized on a two yearly basis until 2005. Since then it has become an annual event again, held in September...
) in August 1933. He designed the receiver at the request of Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
, the German Propaganda Minister. More Volksempfängers were manufactured in Germany between 1933 and 1945 than any other model. The budget-priced Deutsche Kleinempfänger (German small receiver) was also widely known as the Volksempfänger.
Son of a Bavarian NCO
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
, he was educated in Munich, enlisting as a volunteer in 1914 and serving as a signaller. He reached the rank of lieutenant and saw active service on the eastern and western fronts. He was posted to the Near East
Near East
The Near East is a geographical term that covers different countries for geographers, archeologists, and historians, on the one hand, and for political scientists, economists, and journalists, on the other...
and interned following the armistice with Turkey. From 1919 he studied at Würzburg Polytechnic, now Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Würzburg-Schweinfurt (university of applied sciences).
Having an interest in radio technology, Griessing started work in Berlin with the firm, Erich F Huth, under the wing of its laboratory chief, Karl Rottgardt. A few years later he transferred to the regional broadcasting station at Munich, which he helped to develop. He was technical director of the private broadcaster ‘Deutsche Stunde’ (forerunner of the present Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk [Bavarian Broadcasting] is the public broadcasting authority for the German Freistaat of Bavaria, with its main offices located in Munich. BR is a member of ARD.- Legal foundation :...
) when this started its transmissions on 30 March 1924. Between January 1926 and August 1927, during the initial development stage, he was the head and technical director of a firm manufacturing communications equipment in Dobbiaco, Italy.
From September 1927 he worked in Berlin-Schönenberg at Georg Seibt, soon being promoted to the post of chief designer. In the spring of 1933, at the request of Josef Goebbels, he began work on the development of a reasonably priced but high-quality broadcast receiver. Competitors were the Berlin firms Blaupunkt
Blaupunkt
GmbH is a German manufacturer of electronics equipment, noted for its home and car audio equipment. It was a 100% subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH until March 1st, 2009 when its Aftermarket and Accessories branch including the brand name were sold to Aurelius AG of Germany for an undisclosed...
(previously “Ideal Radio”) and Telefunken
Telefunken
Telefunken is a German radio and television apparatus company, founded in Berlin in 1903, as a joint venture of Siemens & Halske and the Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft...
. The selection committee opted for his Model VE 301. The design of the cabinet was principally the work of Walter Maria Kersting
Walter Maria Kersting
Walter Maria Kersting was a German architect and industrial designer.- Career :...
. The set received high praise at the 1933 radio show (Funkaustellung) and, at 76 RM
RM
RM may refer to:-People and titles:* Radioman, a former rank of the U.S. Navy* Resident Magistrate* Returned Missionary, a phrase used by Mormons to refer to young men and women who have served as full-time missionaries...
, was half the price of an equivalent receiver; by the autumn of that year 200,000 sets had been sold. At the 16th Berlin Radio and TV Show, (Grosse Deutsche Funk-und Fernseh-Ausstellung Berlin) Griessing, wearing SA
SA
-Organizations:* S.A. , a type of corporation in various countries* Salvation Army, a Christian denomination founded by William Booth* Sewickley Academy, a private school in the United States...
uniform, was awarded a prize of over 10,000 RM
RM
RM may refer to:-People and titles:* Radioman, a former rank of the U.S. Navy* Resident Magistrate* Returned Missionary, a phrase used by Mormons to refer to young men and women who have served as full-time missionaries...
.
Literature
- Kurt Jäger (Hg.): Lexikon der Elektrotechniker. Berlin; Offenbach: VDE-Verlag, 1996. ISBN 3-8007-2120-1
The above is a translation based on the article in the German Wikipedia at :de:Otto Griessing