Victor Lenel
(Viktor Lenel), * 06.18.1838 in Mannheim, +17.10.1917 Mannheim. Victor Lenel graduated from the University of Heidelberg in 1866 and entered into the his father's trading company. After the death of his father he continued to run it together with his brother Alfred renaming it to "Lenel Bros". In 1873 the two brothers founded together with Frederick Bensinger and the bank Hohenems & Sons the Rhine Rubber-goods factory (Rhein. Hartgummi-Waren-Fabrik) which produced from 1880 plastics, mainly soft rubber and celluloid. After the factory was destroyed by fire in 1885, it was rebuilt under the name of Rhine Rubber and Celluloid factory (Rheinische Gummi und Celluloidfabrik) in Mannheim-Neckerau. In 1907 the company employed about 500 labourers and 15 administrative staff. In 1886 came the "factory of waterproof laundry Lenel, Bensinger & Co" was founded. The Rhine Rubber and Celluloid factory developed the blow-press method for plastics, used for the production of doll heads and table tennis balls made of celluloid. In 1899 the turtle was protected retroactively to 1889 as a trademark. The shell should remind of the hue and pattern of celluloid Products. From 1875, Victor Lenel was a member of the Civil Committee, a commercial judge and member of several boards of corporations, so from 1899-1905 chairman of the Hamburg-Mannheimer insurance. From 1898-1903 he was vice-president, from 1903-1911 chairman of the Mannheim Chamber of Commerce. From 1905-09 he was the first Jewish member of the first chamber of States. After the death of his Father (1876) he founded with his siblings the "Moritz-and-Caroline-Lenel Foundation" to support needy students and on the occasion of his 70th Birthday a convalescent home for children, the Victor-Lenel-foundation at Neckargemünd, which was handed over in 1911 to the administration of the city of Mannheim. His son Richard continued the family business until 1938.
Literature
- Toury Jacob , Toury Eva, Zimmermann Peter, Jüdische Textilunternehmer in Baden-Württemberg 1683-1938
- Schäfer Hermann, "Lenel, Viktor“, in: Neue Deutsche Biographie 14 (1985), S. 203 [Onlinefassung]; URL:
http://www.deutsche-biographie.de/artikelNDB_pnd136623069.html
- Watzinger Karl Otto, "Lenel, Viktor" in: Geschichte der Juden in Mannheim 1650-1945