E. Kraft & Sohn (fl. 1823-1903), Vienna.

Carl Eduard Kraft was born in Halle an der Saale, Germany. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Lützow Free Corps, where he served in combat against the French forces during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816, he relocated to Vienna and commenced an apprenticeship with Gerhard Sadtler, who was at that time regarded as one of the most prominent instrument makers in the city. In 1823, Kraft established an independent workshop within the k.u.k. Technische Militärakademie (Military Engineering Academy). Kraft is particularly renowned for his construction of a functional plane table, for which he was granted a patent in 1828. In 1851, Kraft served as a member of the jury at the London Great Exhibition. In recognition of his contributions, Emperor Ferdinand bestowed upon him the goldenen Verdienstkreuz (Golden Cross of Merit). He was predeceased by his wife, who was the daughter of Gerard Sadtler. His son, Friedrich Wilhelm Kraft, became a full partner in 1854. E. Kraft & Sohn provided surveying instruments for the construction of the Austrian railways, as well as instruments to Alois Negrelli von Moldelbe for the initial planning survey of the Suez Canal. Friedrich Wilhelm continued trading until his death in 1901. E. Kraft & Sohn was liquidated in 1903.  

A plane table compass and a large vernier protractor (315mm diameter) both signed E. Kraft & Sohn.

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NOTES

[1] Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger 1890, www.digital.wienbibliothek.at/

[2] Wiener Zeitung, 29. August 1863, p.344. ANNO - AustriaN Newspapers Online.

[3] Kraft protractor and drawing set at the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

[4] Polytechnisches Journal 1903, Band 318 (S. 97–100). "Die Firma E. Kraft & Sohn, Wien...ist inzwischen in Liquidation geraten..."

[5] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1828, p. 136. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Spitlberge 13."  

[6] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1837, p. 137. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Laimgrube 189."

[7] Festschrift 100 Jahre Rudolf & August Rost 1888-1988.

[8] C. E. Kraft's obituary: Die Freie Presse 9.Januar 1880, p.4. [ANNO]

[9] Bericht über die gegenwärtige österreichische allgemeine Induftrie-Äusftellung. Beilage zum Journale des österreichischen Lloyd. 10.08.1845. No. XXXVII, p.7. [ANNO]

[10] In 1832 Kraft announced a newly constructed 'Elliptograph', Wiener Zeitung 21.01.1832 [ANNO].