Max Simon (1902-1916), Nuremberg.

Max Simon established a factory for the manufacture of drawing instruments Präzisions-Reisszeugfabrik Max Simon in Nuremberg, Treibberg 12, in 1902 [1]. The instruments manufactured at the factory were largely similar to Richter's flat system. In 1905 Max partnered with Julius Falk (Frankfurt a.M.) to set up a limited company 'Präzisions-Reisszeug-Fabrik Max Simon GmbH' with an invested capital of 65000 Marks [2]. From 1905 to 1916 the factory was located at Goethestrasse 19. The company deregistered in 1913 [3] and was liquidated in 1916 [4]. It is unknown why the company went out of business after only 14 years after its founding, but presumably had to do with material shortages and export restrictions in the years around WW1. 

Above are a few pages from an early Max Simon catalogue, undated but probably dating from around 1905. One type of dividers feature a simple traditional head without pivot, the other type Einsatzzirkel K and Haarzirkel K have a Riefler type pivot head. The latter ones are similar to Eichmüller's early Universal compass, as well as early ones made by Hertel and Steidtmann & Roitzsch.

The set below, designated IX.P, was retailed by Leonhard Guthmann successor to stationary retailer Leonhard Gruber in 1900 [6]. The 1901 Adressbuch Nürnberg lists Leonhard Gruber Nachfolger at Ludwigstrasse 13, the same address as embossed on the case [9]. Max Simon's straightening device was patented in 1905, patents DRGM 244470, DRGM 247335 and DRGM 249513. With this straightening device flat linkages are fitted into slits in the divider's legs with extensions running into the handle, and remarkably similar to the ones made by F.E. Hertel and Johann Starck. 

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[1] Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 36/4945 An, 1902: Gewerbeanmeldung Reisszeugfabrication.

[2] Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 1007/1773 Ab, 1905; Internet Archive: Der Mechaniker 1905, Nr. 16, p.195.

[3] Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 1015/1300 Ab, 1913, Gewerbeabmeldung Reisszeugfabrication.

[4] Zeitschrift für Vermessungskunde 1916, p.59, Internet Archive.

[5] Leonhard Gruber (*1861), est. 1882: Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C7/II Nr. 19089.

[6] Leonhard Gruber: Gewerbean-/abmeldung, Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 1002/1378, 1900.

[7] Leonhard Guthmann, Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 34/2080 An, 1900.

[8] Leonhard Guthmann, Stadtarchiv Nürnberg C22/II Nr. 38/371 An, 1904.

[9] The company would continue to operate under the name 'Leonhard Gruber Nachfolger' until well into the 1970s. After WW2 they retailed drawing sets under the trade name LEGRUNA.

Patents by Max Simon

1903 DRGM 203402 Stiel für Reissfedern, Der Mechaniker 1903 Nr.15, p.180.

1903 DRGM 208223 Zirkeleinzatz, Der Mechaniker 1903 Nr.19, p.228.

1904 DRGM 216212 Zirkeleinzatz, Der Mechaniker 1904 Nr.3, p.35.

1904 DRGM 220302 Stift Zirkelfusseinzatz, Der Mechaniker 1904 Nr.8, p.95.

1904 DRGM 235281 Zirkelkopf, Der Mechaniker 1904 Nr.21, p.252.

1904 DRGM 236085 Zirkelgelenk, Österr. Zeitschrift für Vermessungswesen 1904, p.355.

1905 DRGM 244470 Zirkel mit Geradeführung, Der Mechaniker 1905 Nr.6, p.78.

1905 DRGM 247335 Zirkel mit Geradeführung, Der Mechaniker 1905 Nr.8, p.102.

1905 DRGM 249513 Kopfgelenk für Zirkel, Der Mechaniker 1905 Nr.10, p.126.

1910 DRGM 419127 Kilometerzirkel, Österr. Zeitschrift für Vermessungswesen 1910, p.80.