The founder of the famous industrial giant Bosch once started in a modest workshop where only two people worked. Today, Bosch is one of the leading companies in the world market with a 130-year-old positive reputation, which owes everything to its inventor and entrepreneur Robert Bosch.
The early years and youth of Robert Bosch
The well-known founder of the global company Bosch was born near the city of Ulm, in the southwestern part of Germany. The family in which Robert grew up was very large. Together with him, another 11 brothers and sisters grew up. Robert's parents, wealthy prosperous peasants, had their own farming and successfully engaged in the hotel business.
The boy graduated from high school in Ulm, and then studied skills in plumbing. Robert Bosch entered the Technical University of Stuttgart, where he attended a six-month course in electrical engineering. After that, he went abroad, where in the UK he got a job at Siemens Brothers. The future industrialist also gained experience in the United States. He worked in the laboratories of world inventor Thomas Edison. Later, Robert Bosch wanted to use all the knowledge gained. He returns to his native Germany and becomes self-employed.
"Better to lose in money than in trust"
In 1886, at the age of 25, he opened his own "Workshop of Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering" in Stuttgart with a small staff - only two people. Robert Bosch went to his clients on a bicycle, which was very rare at the time, given that the first bicycle was invented only in 1884.
At first, the young entrepreneur’s business was changing with varying success, and only after 10 years did the industrial business finally flourish steadily.
In addition to his main commercial area - engineering in the automotive industry, Bosch also offered other services: repair and installation of telephones, telegraphs and electric bells. Robert also developed a magneto ignition device for a stationary gas engine. For the first time, unusual products went on sale - typewriters for blind people. It was possible to remotely control the water level using another Bosch development - a special mechanical device.
The founder of the company decided to enter the international market, and in 1898 Robert Bosch created the first company outside of Germany - in London. Soon, Bosch products appeared in many other European countries.
In 1901, Robert Bosch decided to establish a full-fledged plant. Products were in great demand, and soon the plant had to be expanded to include nearby buildings.
In 1903, the first international auto racing took place in Ireland. It was a great opportunity for inventors around the world to brag about their innovations in engineering construction. That year, in difficult weather conditions, Camille Genatzi defeated, the first to come to the finish line on a Mercedes, who worked from an upgraded ignition device using a magneto designed by Bosch. The victory further strengthened Bosch's worldwide reputation.
Among Bosch's designs, there is not only an electric starter, but also an ignition distribution system, as well as a car radio.
In 1917, the company officially became a corporation. In the 1920s, networks of repair shops and automobile services appeared throughout Germany. Having survived the economic crisis of those years, the company expanded the list of its products, supplementing it with the production of cameras, power tools, televisions, refrigerators and radios.
Robert Bosch is not only a commercially successful entrepreneur, but also a "social pioneer." He respected all workers working at Bosch plants, so he was the first to introduce an 8-hour work day for his employees in 1906. Robert Bosch also controlled the processes of production and the quality of products, believing that it is better to lose in money than in the trust of customers.
Part of the proceeds from commercial activities, Robert Bosch sent to charity, donating money to technical education and hospitals in the country.
Robert Bosch and Hitler
By 1933, Bosch was already world famous on all continents of the planet. The products of the German entrepreneur were used all over the world. But, with the Nazis coming to power in Germany, Robert Bosch had to choose between the future of the company and personal preferences.
Robert Bosch did not support Hitler’s policies; moreover, he sponsored anti-fascist resistance. But he understood that by refusing to cooperate with Hitler, the political leader would rob the factories of Robert Bosch and they would transfer to state ownership. Robert agrees to equip the military equipment and aircraft of the Hitler Army with the most modern and best engineering developments. However, he personally avoided business meetings with representatives of the Nazi party.
In gratitude for their assistance, Bosch was equipped with free labor in the form of prisoners of war, offered favorable government orders and presented Robert Bosch with an award in honor of his 80th birthday.
