Löffler (fl. 1842-c.1942), Vienna.

One of the earliest dedicated drawing instrument makers in Austria was Johann Löffler (*1820;†1902), who established a workshop in Vienna in 1842. Löffler exhibited a drawing set at the Allgemeine Österreichische Gewerbe-Ausstellung in Wien in 1845, and again at the Allgemeine Deutsche Industrie Ausstellung in Munich in 1854. Johann was active between 1842-1891, son Alois active 1875-1903, and grandson August 1902-1942(?).  

The drawing case is marked "A. Löffler, Wien, Favoritenstrasse 8". The Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger have an A. Löffler at this address from 1885-1908. It is unclear if 'A' on the case stands for Alois or his son August, although Alois seems more probable. 

The Auto-Schraffo section liner was invented by August Löffler. A section liner is a draughtsman's instrument for ruling equidistant parallel lines. Two patents for a section liner were granted to him in 1902, and one in 1906 (the patent numbers have not been provided) [3][4]. In the following years, Löffler was granted patent 137035 [5] and patent 137977 in 1913 [6], and patent 142817 in 1914 [7]. A later version of the Auto-Schraffo was advertised as new in 1934 [8], and an illustration of the same can be found in the 1939 Wichmann Hauptkatalog.

______________________________

NOTES / REFERENCES

[1] Starck, Georg; Die Entwicklung der Deutschen Reisszeugindustrie, 1925, p. 117-118.

[2] The oldest drawing instrument maker in Vienna is reputed to be Johann Gronemann (*25.04.1814-†12.10.1897), who establishes his workshop in 1840. His uncle was  instrument-maker Joseph Gronemann (*08.11.1780-†14.04.1853). who moved from Linz to Vienna in 1815 [Wiener Zeitung 23. März 1815]. Friedrich Gronemann succeeds his father Johann in 1896. The company Johann Gronemann had a workforce of 70 to 80 employees around 1925. W.A. Richter’s Söhne acquire Reisszeugfabrik Gronemann in 1984. GOTTWALD, Hermann; Werkzeugmaschinenbau in Österreich im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert 2008. p.52.

[3] Muster- und Modell-Registrierungen: Schraffierapparat 10.02.1902, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 18.04.1902, p.26. [ANNO]; Muster- und Modell-Registrierungen: Schraffierapparat 19.05.1902, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 11.07.1902, p.22. [ANNO]

[4] Muster- und Modell-Registrierungen: Schraffierapparat 25.10.1906, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 06.02.1907, p.28. [ANNO]

[5] Muster- und Modellschutz 137035, Schraffierapparat 17.06.1913, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 02.09.1913, p.29. [ANNO]

[6] Muster- und Modellschutz 137977, Schraffierapparat 05.08.1913, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 19.10.1913, p.25. [ANNO]

[7] Muster- und Modellschutz 142817, Schraffierapparat 04.05.1914, Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung, 17.08.1914, p.21. [ANNO]

[8] Autoschraffo neuer Schraffierapparat, Oesterreich-ungarische Maschinenwelt, 09.04.1934, p. 7. [ANNO]