Rollei Timeline
Time Line showing the History of Rollei
1920 | The precision engineering and optical workshop – Franke und Heidecke is founded in Brunswick by Paul and Reinhold Heidecke |
1921 | The first product is ready: the Heidosmat stereo camera. |
1927 | A new stereo camera is presented: the Rolleidoskop. |
1928 | The Rolleiflex, the first twin-lens reflex camera for roll film is launched. |
1930 | Opening of the new factory in Brunswick. |
1933 | Introduction of the Rolleicord, a simplified version of the Rolleiflex. |
1945 | Half of the factory buildings and machinery lay in ruins after WW II. |
1950 | Paul Franke dies at age 62. His son Horst is appointed CEO of the company. |
1960 | Reinhold Heidecke dies at age 79. |
1962 | The company operates under the new name “Rollei Werke Franke & Heidecke”. |
1963 | Launch of the Rollei 16, the first Rollei camera not to be designed for roll film. |
1964 | Dr. Peesel is appointed CEO. He manages to increase sales and shield the company against the growing influence of Japanese imports. |
1966 | Rolleiflex SL 66 (Rollei’s first single – lens roll film reflex camera). The Rollei 35 is presented at Photokina fair in Cologne. Over the next three decades, around 3 million of these cameras are sold. The Heidecke family sells its company share to the Franke family. |
1967 | Production of computer flash units begins. Peesel starts to expand: 2 new factories are planned, one in Uelzen (Germany), and a large one in Singapore. |
1968 | Rollei enters the slide projector market with its P 35. This projector was produced in almost 3 million pieces. |
1970 | Premiere of the first 35 mm single-lens reflex camera from Rollei – the Rolleiflex SL 35. |
1973 | The Rollei P 66A, the first automatic 6×6 slide projector, comes onto the market. |
1974 | World premiere of the Rolleiflex SLX, the first electronic camera system for the medium-format and the predecessor to the present Rolleiflex 6000 system. |
1976 | The dissolve projector P 3800 is launched, the original version of the Rolleivision twin MSC 300 projectors. |
in the 70s | Dr. Peesel is followed by CEOs Peter Peperzak, then by Heinz Wehling. |
1980 | With its SL 2000F, Rollei launches the first 35mm single – lens reflex camera with interchangeable magazine, double viewfinder system and integrated motor drive. |
1981 | Rollei faces bankruptcy due to falling revenues and over production in Singapore. The CEO at the time is Hans Heinz Porst, a mayor German photo retailer. |
1982 | A British company, United Scientific Holding, buys the bankrupt Rollei company and resumes production under a new name “Rollei Fototechnik GmbH”. |
1986 | Introduction of the Rolleivision 66 AV, a dissolve projector for the 6 x 6 format. In the same year, RolleiMetric is launched, a digital 3D industrial measuring system, which is now market leader. |
1987 | The twin-lens system celebrates its come back with the Rolleiflex 2.8 GX with TTL exposure and flash metering. Rollei is bought by Schneider Kreuznach. |
1988 | Introduction of the Rolleiflex 6008 the top medium-format camera on the market. |
1991 | The entry into digital photography comes with the Rollei Digital Scan Pack. In the same year, Rollei brings out the Prego AF, the first modern Rollei compact. |
1992 | Rollei is bought by SAMSUNG company of S. Korea. |
1993 | The new generation of dissolve projectors, Rolleivision twin MSC 300, is introduced. |
1994 | The digital imaging system is extended with the high-speed Digital ChipPack back. |
1995 | Launch of the Rolleiflex 6008 integral, a most advanced professional camera for medium format. |
1996 | Further extension of the digital segment with the DSP-104 digital back. |
1998 | Rollei presents the bellows camera system X-Act at Photokina. With the Nano-compact cameras, Rollei introduces APS (Advanced Photo System) cameras into its product range. Rollei is bought by the company management. |
2000 | Rollei celebrates its 80th anniversary. |
2001 | Spring sees Rollei launch of five new compact cameras, autumn of AFM 35, a new series of dissolve projectors and two new digital cameras. |
2002 | The year of the launches! Rollei launches 6 new compact cameras, the Rollei 530 flex digital reflex camera, the Rolleiflex 6008 AF (first medium-format camera in 6 x 6 format with auto focus) and a new digital compact camera (Rollei d330 motion). Furthermore, Rollei presents at the Photokina the Rollei 35 RF (rangefinder camera) and the Rolleiflex 4.0 FW (new wide-angle camera). |
After 2002 I do not have received reliable historic data , anyone who can provide this is strongly invited to share it in a similar concise description as above please.
We all know about the bankruptcy of F&H , the resurrection of the factory under a new name , the Hy6 cameras etc, But … I would love to have an accurate overview to be added. Please contact me using a PM in the forum to: ‘rolleiclubleader’