1929 to 1958

History

1929

The history of HEWI commences with the entry into the Companies Register as Heinrich Wilke, Sole Trader. The company was founded by Heinrich Wilke. The first two letters of each name combine to form the company name, "HEWI" Production of a metal sheaf binder, developed in-house, for agriculture.

1934

Start of plastic processing at HEWI. Duroplastic money trays are launched at the Leipzig Spring Fair. Heinrich Wilke receives the Silver Medal, German Inventors Award, from the German Industry Association for this invention.

1936

Manufacture of duroplastic door finger plates. Previously finger plates were available only in celluloid or glass, the former not being durable, and the latter very expensive.

1937

Nylon is patented by the American chemical corporation, DuPont. Nylon is the major material innovation of the 30s.

1954

1954 Acquisition of the first injection moulding machine, for the production of finger plates from thermo-plastics (a group of plastics including nylon).

1957

Development and production of the first "101" nylon door lever handle. The first samples presented at trade fairs are available in white, ivory-cream, three shades of grey, black, gold and silver-bronze. Hardware retailers are extremely sceptical about the nylon handles. For this reason, a hammer was part of the equipment of every HEWI trade fair stand right until 1979. The hammer was used to hit the products, in order to demonstrate their durability.

1958

First major projects: the administrative building of Wintershall AG and the liner, Bremen, are equipped with the "101" door lever handle. Additional fittings are required for the liner, including cloakroom and towel hooks, and also inset and wall handles.

Go 1961 - 1996

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History

1929 - 1958

1929 to 1958

History

1929

1934

1936

1937

1954

1957

1958