In 1884, in association with Ernst Abbe and Carl and Roderich Zeiss he founded the "Glastechnische Laboratorium Schott & Genossen" ("Schott & Associates Glass Technology Laboratory") in Jena. That was the origin of the present day Schott Jenaer Glas GmbH (Jena), the foundation enterprise Schott Glas (Mainz) and the whole of the Schott Group.
In the 2000/2001 fiscal year (to September 30) the international technology concern, which is managed from Mainz, employed 20,000 people in more than 90 companies and achieved worldwide sales of 2 billion euros.
To mark the 150th anniversary of his birth the Schott Group commemorated its founder with official celebrations in Jena. The event, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Thuringia and many other personalities from the world of politics, business and society plus senior Schott executives, was the occasion of the opening of the family villa as the second part of the Schott GlassMuseum.
In his address Dr. Heinz Drr, the Foundation Commissioner of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, paid tribute to Otto Schott as an outstanding scientist and technologist as well as an industrialist with a social conscience and a committed citizen, in recognition of which he was granted the freedom of the City of Jena. Other speakers at the event were Dr. Leopold von Heimendahl, Chairman of the Schott Glas Board of Management, Dr. Peter Rhlinger, Oberbrgermeister of the City of Jena, and the Prime Minister of Thuringia, Dr. Bernhard Vogel.
The high point of the celebrations was the opening of the Schott Villa as the second part of the Schott GlassMuseum. Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, member of the Schott Glas (Mainz) Board of Management and Supervisory Board Chairman of Schott Jenaer Glas GmbH, performed the official opening in two symbolic acts. He presented Wolfgang Meyer, the Chief Executive Officer of Schott Jenaer Glas and titular owner of the villa, with a symbolically oversized key and together with Prime Minister Vogel and Wolfgang Meyer he ceremonially cut the ribbon at the entrance to the Schott Villa.
The villa houses a commemoration of Otto Schott’s life’s work in all its varied facets. In addition displays can be seen there depicting various aspects of the company’s history.
The Schott Villa will be open to the public from January 8, 2002. Opening hours will be 13.00 to 18.00, Tuesday to Friday. There is no charge for admission.
150th Anniversary of Otto Schott
The founder of the modern science of glass and glass technology was one of the most important scientists, technologists and industrialists of his day.