Daniel Swarovski
Daniel Swarovski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 24 October 1862 |
| Died | 23 January 1956 (aged 93) |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Occupation(s) | glass cutter jeweler inventor business entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1892- |
| Known for | Founder of Swarovski |
| Spouse | Marie Weis |
| Children | Fritz Alfred Wilhelm |
Daniel Swarovski (24 October 1862 – 23 January 1956) was a Czech-born Austrian glass cutter, jeweler, and founder of the Swarovski crystal dynasty.
Biography
Early life
Swarovski was born in Georgenthal bei Gablonz, Bohemia, Austrian Empire (now Jiřetín pod Bukovou, Czech Republic), the son of Franz Anton Swarovski and Helene Swarovski (née Staffen).[nb 1][1] He was born in the Jizera Mountains, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the current border with Poland. Like many in the area, his father was a glass cutter, and Swarovski first learned the art of glass-cutting in his father's small factory. He was educated in Paris and Vienna, where he met Frantisek Krizik, and became interested in electricity at the 1883 Electricity Exhibition in Vienna.[1][2]
Career
In 1892, he patented an electric cutting machine that facilitated the production of lead crystal glass jewelry, which until then had to be cut by hand. In 1895, he immigrated to Austria and partnered with Armand Kosman and Franz Weis to form "A. Kosmann, D. Swarovski & Co." They built a crystal-cutting factory in Wattens, Tyrol, to take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes Swarovski had patented.[3][4][5][6]
In 1919, Swarovski founded the Tyrolit company, bringing the grinding and polishing tools from his crystal business into a different market. In 1949, Swarovski Optik KG was founded by his son Wilhelm Swarovski in Absam, Tyrol.[3][7]
Personal life
In 1887, Daniel Swarovski married Marie Weis, the sister of his business partner Franz Weis, and they had three sons: Fritz, Alfred, and Wilhelm.[8]
Honors
- Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great
- Bearer of the Great Emblem of Merit from the Republic of Austria
- Owner of the Julius Raab Medal
- Honorary member of the Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Kryształy Swarovskiego". Arande (in Polish). Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ Hammerich-Maier, Maria (4 July 2010). "Ein Unternehmen mit Schliff: Carborundum Electrité". Radio Praha auf Deutsche (in German). Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Our Company: Our History". Swarovski. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ Production, http://aaafire.hypermart.net Aaron's Fire Website. "About Swarovski". www.crystalfanaticsclub.com.
{{cite web}}: External link in|first= - ^ Callan, Georgina O'Hara; Glover, Cat (2008). The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Fashion and Fashion Designers. Thames & Hudson. p. 248.
- ^ "Swarovski: About Us - The Story". Swarovski. Archived from the original on 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ "Daniel Swarovski Biography: Crystal Stones That Shine Like Diamonds". Astrum People. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
- ^ "The History Of Swarovski". HarMan Importing.
External links
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