Ignaz Schwinn
Ignaz Schwinn (born April 1, 1860 in Hardheim , † August 31, 1948 in Chicago , United States ) was a German engineer , inventor, designer and founder of the bicycle manufacturer Schwinn Bicycle Company .
Life
Ignaz Schwinn was born the second eldest son of an organ and piano manufacturer. He had six siblings and became a half-orphan at the age of eleven. After finishing school, he completed an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer. He then worked in a bicycle factory in northern Germany. Over time, he started designing bicycles himself and wanted to implement a few of his ideas. However, older types of bicycles such as the penny farthing were given priority. Schwinn later moved to Frankfurt , where he met the bicycle designer Heinrich Kleyer . After he presented him with a few ideas for the bicycle, he was employed in the Kleyer works as a designer and master. In 1891 Schwinn moved to Chicago and worked there for the Fill & Moffat company. A few years later he left the company and in 1895 founded "Arnold, Schwinn & Company" together with Adolf Arnold. From 1908 he ran the company alone and kept it until his death.
In 1999 the Schwinn family was honored with the special honor of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Schwinn, Ignaz |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German entrepreneur and founder of the bicycle manufacturer Schwinn & Company |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 1, 1860 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Hardheim |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 31, 1948 |
| Place of death | Chicago |