Uher

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Trademark of Uher 1956–2006
Uher-Werke main plant in Munich- Obersendling , Barmseestrasse 11 (1962)
Uher subsidiary in Buchbach (1970s)

The Uher works Munich , named after the businessman Edmond Uher were, a world-renowned specialist manufacturer of high-quality tape recorders , voice recorders , cassette players , language learning systems and accessories. They achieved their greatest successes in the mid- 1950s to the mid- 1970s .

prehistory

Born in Hungary, Edmond Uher, versatile inventor and entrepreneur, founded the company Uher & Co. in Munich - Pasing in 1934 , which manufactured various precision engineering products and in which Bayerische Motoren-Werke and Messerschmitt AG were involved one after the other . He also founded the Süddeutsche Mechanischen Werkstätten GmbH (SMW) , a development workshop whose owner and managing director Wolf Freiherr von Hornstein became in 1949, and which later developed the Uher products. During the Second World War , Edmond Uher opened branches in Vienna and Budapest . After the war he re-established his companies in Munich and Vienna. In Munich, he moved to a transitional solution in Starnberg in the Boschetsrieder Straße 59 in Munich Obersendling order. The parallel reconstruction of both plants, however, exceeded its economic possibilities.

Uher-Werke Munich

The Uher works Munich GmbH was founded in 1953 with registered capital of 600,000 DM with partial takeover of personnel, machinery and manufacturing facilities of the company Uher & Co. founded. Shareholders were Carl Theodor Graf zu Toerring-Jettenbach , landowner in Munich (240,000 DM), the company Uher & Co. (represented by Edmond Uher, who is personally liable and authorized to represent himself, 359,000 DM), and his wife Fiametta Uher (1,000 DM). Wolfgang Freiherr von Hornstein - Edmond Uher's son-in-law and owner of the South German Mechanical Workshops (SMW) founded by him - and lawyer Hans Ziegler were appointed as managing directors. Edmond Uher retired to his Austrian company; Hornstein, Ziegler and financiers Toerring-Jettenbach took care of the company, which was ailing due to a poor order situation.

Hornstein initially took on subcontracts, including the improvement of a larger batch of tape recorders. Because of problems in this regard, he successfully commissioned his company, SMW, to construct its own tape recorder. From then on, the SMW generally developed the tape recorders that Uher produced.

The first Uher tape recorder, the Uher 95, was made in 1953; In 1954 it was ready for series production. In 1955, Baron Hornstein decided to give up the production of mechanical precision parts entirely in favor of the production of tape recorders.

On December 2nd, 1957 the company Uher-Werke München KG was brought into being. The limited partnership continued to run the existing Uher Werke München GmbH . It had taken over their assets by way of conversion without liquidation. The personally liable partner was Carl Theodor Graf zu Toerring-Jettenbach, limited partner of his then 21-year-old son Hans Veit Kaspar Nikolaus Erbgraf zu Toerring-Jettenbach (stake 550,000 DM).

At the end of the 1950s, Uher produced five different types of equipment with around 400 employees and gained an excellent reputation at home and abroad. In 1962, the rapidly expanding company was able to move to a modern new building in an industrial area in Obersendling on the southern edge of Munich, at Barmseestrasse 11. A year later, production figures were sixfold, and tape recorder sales had increased by 362% since 1957. In order to meet the constantly increasing demand, branches were founded in Buchbach in the Mühldorf district in 1960 and in Asch-Leeder in 1966 , both of which moved to new buildings after a few years. Accessories were made in Klausen in South Tyrol .

“From 1968 to 1970, in two years, sales, which had stagnated at around 50 million marks since 1966, doubled to 102 million marks. The annual production climbed to 180,000 devices, the workforce grew to over 1,500 people. "

- Die Zeit ZEIT, June 23, 1972

In 1973 the number of employees at Uher reached its maximum total of almost 1,800, as did sales of 110 million DM. But then the success curve of the tape recorder manufacturer fell. Baron Hornstein had to leave Uher in 1972 "because of irregularities"; In 1974 Uher Werke München KG was sold to Wolfgang Assmann GmbH in Bad Homburg in front of the height , "in acute financial distress" . On October 21, 1977, the Funkschau wrote : "Uher is increasingly developing into a sales company for devices not manufactured in Germany". On September 3, 1980, the Süddeutsche Zeitung quoted the then managing director Rüdiger Hoessrich, saying that Uher no longer wanted to compete with the Japanese, which is why production had to be streamlined and converted to smaller numbers, production in Munich had to be stopped and relocated to Buchbach.

In the meantime none of the plants in Munich, Buchbach, Asch-Leeder and Klausen exist. Regarding the further fate of the Uher brand, Ulrich Wienforth writes in the stereo special issue 30 years of hi-fi history , 2004: “In the eighties Assmann had licensed the Uher brand name to various hi-fi providers, which caused some confusion. Harman , for example, brought a number of high-quality hi-fi components under the Uher logo, while Otto Versand adorned cheap imported goods (including radio alarm clocks and mini turrets) with the familiar lettering. All these products have long since disappeared from the market - the name Uher is history, at least as far as the hi-fi area is concerned. "

In 1996 Wolfgang Assmann GmbH was split up into the separate companies Uher GmbH , ATIS Systems GmbH , Uher Electronic GmbH and Uher Informatik GmbH . Consumer electronics are no longer produced; the remaining inventory of tape recorders, accessories and spare parts were sold in 2013.

Products

Examples

Selection:

Tape recorders

Uher 95
First Uher tape recorder (1955). Belt speed 9.5 cm / s, reel size up to 15 cm in diameter, robust and torsion-free aluminum die-cast chassis (in contrast to the usual sheet metal chassis), four tubes and a control indicator tube.

Uher universal
combined tape recorder and dictation machine (1958). Three belt speeds, die-cast aluminum chassis, fully automatic sound-slide projection.

Uher Stereorecord II and III
First stereo tape recorder from Uher (1960). Three tape speeds, reel sizes up to 18 cm in diameter, numerous tricks including synchro-play (recording on the second during playback of the first track) using an additional multi-synchronous coupler.

Uher Report
First Uher tape recorder equipped with transistors and capable of mobile use (1961) in a compact design. Four belt speeds, reel sizes up to 13 cm in diameter, battery, accumulator and mains power supply, patented drive system. Meets the HiFi standard DIN 45500 . Based on the original basic concept, it was continuously developed and produced for around 38 years until 1999. After the Uher 4000 Report , the Uher 4000 Report S (1963), L (1964), IC (1972) and Monitor (1980) models appeared . All devices were also released in stereo versions with the type numbers 4002 or 4200 (half-track) and 4004 or 4400 (quarter-track). The 1000 Report Pilot and 1200 Pilot Synchro were full-track variants with the option of synchronizing film cameras . Special versions were built for military and secret service purposes by countries in the East and West. With around 1 million units, it was the best-selling, best-known and now “legendary” Uher tape recorder. An Uher report circled the earth with the Gemini capsule.

“1500 reports are broadcast in UK, Canadian and US broadcast studios. The German Weather Service in Offenbach, the American Federal Criminal Police Office FBI, film hero James Bond and the Spiegel use the report. When President Kennedy visited West Germany, his entourage carried ten devices. "

- Der Spiegel , March 13, 1967

The Uher 6000 Report Universal was last published in 1985 , an inexpensive documentation system that combined the properties of a high-quality tape recorder with those of a universal dictation machine. Belt speeds: 9.5, 4.75, 2.4 and 1.2 cm / s. HiFi quality at 9.5 cm / s, but only single-channel technology (mono). Around 50 to 60 Uher 6000 Report Universal were used in the Bundestag.

The last report devices were built in 1999 as a four-track version in Buchbach (Upper Bavaria) .

Uher Universal 5000
combined tape recorder and dictation machine (1963). Fully transistorized version. Belt speeds: 2.4, 4.75 or 9.5 cm / s. Electromagnetic control of the drive. Die-cast chassis. Was used as an announcement device in the Deutsches Museum . Was an integral part of the Watergate affair .

Uher Royal
transistor device for mains operation (1962). Four-track technology, four belt speeds, reel sizes up to 18 cm in diameter. Mono and stereo recording and playback, synchro and multi playback, reverb or echo effects. Two-channel mix input. Slide pilot for controlling the image change of automatic slide projectors. Improved successor: Uher Royal de Luxe with tape tension comparator, an effective, mechanical tape tension control. Several successor types ( SG 560 , SG 561 , SG 562 ).

Uher 22/24 HiFi Special
HiFi tape recorder in two and four track versions without power amplifiers (1964).  Option to switch the equalization between NAB and CCIR 1, gap adjustment of the playback head accessible from the outside. A real rear tape control was possible with separate recording and playback
amplifiers . As a special feature, each individual device received a "certificate" in the form of a test certificate and a strip of paper with the original frequency response recording (measured over tape), which should demonstrate the high performance and quality of the devices.

Uher Royal de Luxe
top-
quality tape recorder with a new type of drive (1966). Four belt speeds, reel sizes up to 18 cm in diameter. The patented strip tension comparator enabled excellent synchronization values ​​and extremely sensitive handling, even with the particularly thin triple strip, for the first time. Synchro and multiplay. For the first time, it was possible to replace the entire head carrier in four or two-track technology. The device was also available as the Royal de Luxe C without a power amplifier.

Uher Variocord
The Variocord models are slimmed-down versions of the Royal de Luxe. There were versions in mono (Variocord 23 with one and Variocord 63 with two speakers) and stereo (Variocord 263 and the successor models SG 520 and SG 521). The main differences to the Royal de Luxe: Two heads (instead of three), which eliminates the trick effects and the rear band control. Three (instead of four) speeds. Only one display instrument for both channels in the stereo models (except for the SG 521).

Uher SG 630/631 Logic
HiFi stereo tape recorder of the top class, also the last Uher reel tape recorder (1976). Three belt speeds 4.75, 9.5, 19 cm / s, for the first time reel sizes up to 26.5 cm in diameter. Computer-controlled, fully electronic 4-motor drive. First tape machine with a drive called
Omega-Drive without a rubber pressure roller. Fully electronic, pathless belt tension control. Built-in impulse control for slide projectors. Interchangeable half- and quarter-track head carrier. No built-in speakers. In contrast to the previous models, no trick options.

Cassette devices

Uher CR 124 Stereo
First worldwide patented Uher cassette player (1972). With dimensions of 18.5 × 5.7 × 18 cm and a weight of 2 kg, it was then the smallest portable cassette device in the world. Compact design, battery, accumulator and mains operation. Built-in low voltage condenser microphone. Automatic level control that can be switched off. The newly developed stereo head with four magnet systems on top of each other enabled auto-reverse operation (changing the direction of travel at the end of the tape instead of manually turning the cassette). Meets the HiFi standard DIN 45500 with simple iron oxide tape. However, the device was more than twice as expensive as conventional cassette devices.

Improved successor types : Uher CR 210 , Uher CR 210 Pilot (both 1974), Uher CR 240 (1977, with Dolby B , larger than the predecessor).

Uher CG 360
high-performance cassette deck in IC modular design (1973). Digital drive control in IC technology. Dolby noise reduction using IC technology. Three motors, including a hysteresis synchronous motor and two ironless DC motors. A symmetrical power amplifier with 2 × 10 watts sinus output that can be plugged in from the outside also enables it to be used alone as a stereo hi-fi amplifier.

Uher CG 320 2-motor cassette hi-fi stereo device with excellent synchronization properties (1974). Equipped with DNL noise suppression (Philips system). Two built-in power amplifiers with 5 watts each produced a good sound via the built-in speakers. Automatic level control can be switched separately for speech and music.

amplifier

Uher CV 140
Completely developed by SMW and manufactured by Uher in-house, hi-fi stereo amplifier with 2 × 70 watt music output (1969). Exceeded the HiFi standard DIN 45500 in all points.

Special accessories

Uher Mix 500
stereo mixer with 5 inputs in professional technology. Successor: Uher Mix 700 . HiFi stereo mixer in 5-channel technology with duo master level control and panorama potentiometer.

Remote
switch Hand and foot switch for remote control of tape recorders equipped for this purpose.

Akustomat
additional device to start recording when noises above an adjustable level occur and interruption when the level is reduced below a likewise adjustable value for tape recorders equipped for this purpose.

Language teaching systems

From 1963 to 1981 Uher built language teaching systems using modified standard tape recorders, which were particularly universally applicable and user-friendly.

AS 200
Easy to use teacher's desk, 20 student places (existing or special desks), expandable by a maximum of 20 restricted places.

AS 300/400
teacher's desk with two-track tape recorder and integrated slide pilot and record player or second tape recorder to divide students into performance groups. 30 audio-active student places, expandable by 10 restricted places. Some student places with tape recorders for individual work. Possibility of supplementation in the modular process. Going faster for more talented students, repetition for slower students. Admission and assessment of speaking exercises of selected students.

AWR 100
components:

  • HiFi stereo tape recorder Uher Royal de Luxe
  • HiFi stereo tuner with station buttons
  • Mixing console with 5 flat track controllers
  • HiFi stereo record player
  • optional hi-fi stereo cassette recorder CR 210
  • HiFi stereo amplifier CV 140
  • integrated intercom

AA 482
Inexpensive course system with extensive possibilities, suitable not only for language but also for other classes.

LA 301 CC
First version for tape cassettes instead of reels.

LA 501 CC
With two teacher tape recorders. 3-motor drive and IC technology. Schoolchildren could take tapes home with them to repeat or study.

OEM products and brand name

After the sale to Wolfgang Assmann GmbH, Uher increasingly offered, later mainly OEM devices, and licensed the brand name to various manufacturers of consumer electronics. The range, which diverged more and more from the original products and partly also from their quality level, included

  • Mini and compact stereos
  • HiFi components
  • Televisions
  • Video equipment
  • Clock radios
  • Radio recorder
  • Answering machine

and more.

literature

  • Peter Remmers: The history of the Uher works in Munich . Ed .: Andreas Flader. Funk Verlag Bernhard Hein e. K., Dessau 2008, ISBN 978-3-939197-19-5 (2009 as e-book with ISBN 978-3-939197-46-1 ).
  • Peter Remmers: The history of the Uher works in Munich . Ed .: Andreas Flader. 2nd Edition. Bilz, Goldbach 2019, ISBN 978-3-00-062168-0 (revised and supplemented).

Web links

Commons : Uher  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Gert Redlich: Uher. Tape Museum, accessed May 22, 2020 .
  • Anselm Rapp (former employee): Uher memories. Retrieved May 8, 2020 .

swell

  • Peter Remmers, Andreas Flader (ed.): The history of the Uher works in Munich . See above: literature .
  • Friedrich Engel, Gerhard Kuper, Frank Bell, Wulf Münzner: Time layers: Magnetic tape technology as a cultural medium. Inventor biographies and inventions . 4th edition. Polzer Media Group, Potsdam 2020 (e-book, PDF).

Individual evidence

  1. Original spelling according to the articles of association and business registration: Uher, own spelling often: UHER.
  2. Original spelling according to patent from 1936 , articles of association and other documents: Edmond, occasionally also: Edmund.
  3. ↑ Articles of Association of December 18, 1952 and January 16, 1953, commercial court entry on February 4, 1953 under B 3185, business registration for the "production of gear and accessories for the automotive and machine industry" on May 19, 1953 with start of operations 1. May 1953, business registration No. 03896 from May 19, 1953 (City of Munich).
  4. Regular spelling of the first name: Karl, in the social contract: Carl.
  5. ^ Entry in the commercial register of the Munich Local Court on December 2, 1957 under A 14512.
  6. Hermann Bossenecker: The count wants to make cash . In: The time . No. 25/1972 , June 23, 1972, pp. 31 ( article online [accessed July 21, 2012]).
  7. DER SPIEGEL (Ed.): Cash checks only . No. 10/1979 , March 5, 1979 ( article online [accessed May 4, 2014]).
  8. Poker in Bavaria . In: The time . No. 49/1974 , November 29, 1974 ( article online [accessed July 20, 2012]).
  9. Quoted by Tobias Zoporowski in Markensterben , Stereo , Magazin für HiFi, High End & Musik. ( Memento from May 24, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  10. ATIS systems GmbH. Retrieved July 21, 2020 .
  11. ^ Uher Informatik GmbH. Retrieved July 21, 2020 .
  12. ^ Peter Breu: Information and history of Assmann, W., GmbH, Bad Homburg in the radio museum . Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. Gold in the niche . In: Der Spiegel . No. 12/1967 , March 13, 1967, pp. 72-74 ( article online [accessed July 21, 2012]).
  14. Tobias Zoporowski: Classic: The Indestructible. (PDF) Stereo , Magazin für HiFi, High End & Musik, February 2007, pp. 48–50 , accessed on May 3, 2020 (Uher 4000 Report).
  15. Toralf Czartowski: Uher. Trademark Lexicon, March 18, 2020, accessed June 28, 2020 .
  16. ^ The EOB Tape of June 20, 1972. Report on a Technical Investigation Conducted for the US District Court for the District of Columbia. (PDF) 1974. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  17. Thomas Investigative Publications: The Nixon White House Tape Recorders Now With Key Video Presentations Of The Watergate Story And Audio Presentations Of What Was On The White House Tapes . 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  18. Manual Library / Uher Compact Report Stereo 124. hifiengine, accessed on May 3, 2020 (English).
  19. Uher CR 210 Zstereo , January 19, 2016, accessed on May 2, 2020 (English).
  20. Learning with tape - Goethe Institute orders new language teaching system (PDF) Uher Nachrichten (Uher Werke Munich). July 1964. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  21. New language teaching system. (PDF) Das Ton-Magazin , Munich, 1964, p. 49 , accessed on May 31, 2017 .