Gebrüder Haff (fl. 1835-2019+), Pfronten.

Gebr. Haff's entry at the Berlin Industrial Exhibition in 1844 were 4 cases of drawing instruments, one with German silver instruments, the other 3 with brass instruments [4].
Gebr. Haff's entry at the Berlin Industrial Exhibition in 1844 were 4 cases of drawing instruments, one with German silver instruments, the other 3 with brass instruments [4].

Number of employees

1871       21
1886       35
1893       60
1910       80
1925     180

1939     300

The first workshop was built in the 1830s by co-founder Heinrich Haff. In front of the house are Heinrich Haff with his brother-in-law the precision mechanic Fritz Reichart, who trained in Vienna, and some apprentices [3].
The first workshop was built in the 1830s by co-founder Heinrich Haff. In front of the house are Heinrich Haff with his brother-in-law the precision mechanic Fritz Reichart, who trained in Vienna, and some apprentices [3].
In 1871 Gebr. Haff employ 21 workers in their factory with 10 outsourced workers [5].
In 1871 Gebr. Haff employ 21 workers in their factory with 10 outsourced workers [5].
Haff's company logo in 1897.
Haff's company logo in 1897.
Gebr. Haff products in 1935. [3]
Gebr. Haff products in 1935. [3]

The Founding Years, 1800-1860

The Haff family members are descendants of farmers that had established themselves in Pfronten, Germany centuries before Thomas Haff (1775-1859) began producing mathematical instruments. He was already well known as a clockmaker in the early 19th century, and is also known to have repaired and adjusted surveying instruments being used in the Bavarian Alps during Napoleon’s reign. It was in his factory that his sons Fritz (1803-1891), Heinrich (1814-1895), and Karl Haff (1818-1896) began their apprenticeships to become precision instrument makers. They completed their training as journeymen in Southern Germany and Switzerland. In the early 1830’s, Heinrich and Fritz completed their education with Ertel & Sohn in Munich. Heinrich went on to study mathematics as well.

After this intensive practical and theoretical education, Heinrich, Fritz, and Karl founded their company in 1835, producing compasses and other drawing instruments using their “Kant” (square) system. Each item was handmade using human-powered, wooden lathes and other tools they designed and built to aid in production.

They also produced chronometers, precision clocks that can be admired today in many German castles and government buildings. In 1845, polar planimeters began to be offered by Haff. (Ed.: In 1867 Haff entered into a standing verbal agreement to become for an almost exclusive supplier to Keuffel & Esser. K&E stipulated that Haff should not engrave the instruments with the Haff name but to inscribe "Germany" and later with the legally prescribed "Made in Germany". This arrangement with K&E lasted until 1986. [12]). The brothers received a first place award for products shown in the Nuremberg Industrial Exhibition in 1840. Their factory provided training for many successful precision instrument makers who later started their own companies. Of these was the founder of the Riefler Company in Nesselwang. As well, Herman Wetzer who founded H. Wetzer Company.

 

Further Development 1860-1900

In the next generation, under the leadership of Max (1850-1921), Otto (1855-1908) and Adolph Haff (1844-1925), the company grew immensely. By the end of the 19th century, the Haff Brothers’ company had become one of the largest exporters of mathematical and drawing instruments. In recognition of their importance to the Bavarian economy, they received a special title from the Bavarian King. After completing cadet schooling in Switzerland, Max Haff, son of Heinrich Haff, began training as a master machinist with Siemes and Halske in Berlin. Otto, son of Karl Haff, and Adolph, son of Fritz Haff took control of the purchasing department and some other specialized areas.

 

Modernizing, 1900-1930

Heinrich Haff (1882-1930), son of Max Haff and graduate of engineering in Munich, worked for a time as an engineer in the United States. Returning to Germany he made use of the new techniques and methods learned in the U.S. This resulted in an expanded line of products and newer, more modern facilities to produce them in. A new factory was built in 1906 at its present site at 5 Tiroler Strasse, Pfronten. Heinrich died unexpectantly in 1930, leaving a gap behind that was difficult to fill.

 

1930-Present

His son, also named Heinrich (1914- ) was then forced to take control of the company at a very young age. He was able to further expand the production of his firm and offered pension plans and other employee benefits for the first time in the company’s history. In 1935 a school was formed to teach engineering and design principles. In 1938 electricity was incorporated into the plant facilities. The company growth was slowed during World War II, but quickly regained its importance in the 1950’s. Since Heinrich had no son, his sister’s son Fritz Haff-Winkelmann (1942- ) joined the company and took over its leadership in 1967 after having studied in Berlin and working in both Berlin and the U.S. Fritz introduced modern production techniques as well as the electronic digital planimeter that has been successful worldwide.

 

Modernizing and Expansion

In 1906 a modern factory was built in its current location and electricity began to be used. Due to the growing export market in the United States and other countries, more buildings were soon added. In 1924 compasses were made using the “Flach” (flat) system. In the 1920’s, geophysical instruments and Drehwaagen were added. These were employed in the search for oil in Hanover, Vienna, and China. The production of Drehwaagen was discontinued in 1930. As a result of continued automation and increasingly sophisticated electronic control over production etc., a special department was created for work planning. Here deadlines are calculated, target dates are computed and scheduling for each machine is planned. Besides modernizing, our own training school was built. Today compasses as well as many high-precision drawing instruments are produced. 

Translated by a member of the Yahoo Drawing Instruments Group from Gebrüder Haff GmbH, 150th anniversary pamphlet.

Haff 96E elliptical compass and Haff 92E planimeterzirkel, both dating from around 1960/70. The Haff 96E seems to be based on a 1958 patent by Erich Linnhoff (*1914;†2006), Ellipsenzirkel, DE1779190U [Depatisnet].

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NOTES / REFERENCES

[1] STARCK, Georg; Die Entwicklung der Deutschen Reißzeugindustrie, Universitätsverlag von Robert Noske in Borna-Leipzig, 1925.

[2] Ueber den Zustand der bayerischen Gewerbsindustrie: Insbesondere seit dem... 1836, page 164. Google Books. 

[3] Festschrift zum Hundertjährigen Bestehen der Firma Gebrüder Haff Fronten Bayern 1835-1935. Internet Archive.

[4] Amtlicher Bericht über die allgemeine Deutsche Gewerbe Ausstellung zu Berlin im Jahre 1844, page 416. Google Books. 

[5] Amtlicher Katalog der Ausstellung des Deutschen Reiches 1873, page 501. Google Books.

[6] Jahresbericht der Handels- und Gewerbekammer für Schwaben und Neuburg: 1871. Google Books. 

[7] Heimatverein Pfronten, Hausgeschichte Heitlern http://heimatverein-pfronten.de/geschichte/hausgeschichte/  

[8] Festschrift zum Hundertjährigen Bestehen der Firma Gebrüder Haff, Pfronten, Bayern 1935. 

[9] British Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee report 1289 on the German Drawing Instrument Industry post WW2 (1946): https://archive.org/details/biosreport1289_201910/page/n23

[10] 1914: Arbeitsordnung der Firma "Gebrüder Haff. Fabrik für Reißzeuge und mathematische Instrumente", Pfronten

[11] Haff family tree at Family Search, Thomas Haff ID: GMG1-9JF [FamilySearch] 

[12] Hagen, Rupp, Scheurle; Dynamical Systems, Number Theory and Applications: A Festschrift in Honor of Armin Leutbecher's 80th Birthday, World Scientific Publishing Co. Plc. Ltd. 2016. [Google Books]

Other drawing instrument factories in Pfronten

August Doser

Dietrich & Doser

Doser & Filleböck (1835) Pfronten-Berg

Gebrüder Zweng (1908)

Hauber & Zweng (1926) Pfronten-Steinach 

Hauber & Haff (1865) Pfronten-Steinach

Gebrüder Filleböck (1919) Pfronten-Berg

Mayr, Hörmann and Cie (1926) Pfronten-Steinach

Thomas Osterried (1921) Pfronten-Weissbach 

Anton Schneider (1923) Pfronten-Ried

Alois Schuster, Pfronten-Weissbach