Early ZEISS products made for mobility

Major changes offer enormous opportunities. That‘s what happened when the automobile became the world standard. In 1909, ZEISS first entered this market with its headlamps. As these vehicles did not have their own power supply at that time, acetylene burners generated the electricity. The key ZEISS innovations were a dimming device and using quartz mirrors in the form of paraboloids that focused the light. Headlights made by most manufacturers remained parabolic until after the year 2,000 when LED lights were introduced.

After World War I, the range was expanded to include other products that often had little to do with the ZEISS specialty of optics such as the petrol pump, Olophor, the petrol gauge, Contameter, and a ring-shaped horn on the steering wheel called Contal.

The basic indicator was launched on the market and was activated with a motorized arrow that folded out. Contax, on the other hand, was an arrow which was lit up from behind. Another signal was connected to the brake pedal which made the word ‘Stop’ light up. This was supposed to ‘prevent accidents caused by rear-end collisions’ - at least that was the claim made in the advert.

Production remained oriented toward craftsmanship. As a result, the equipment was very expensive and was only an option for luxury cars. Unit sales declined and this area of business was discontinued in 1933. The name Contax was used shortly afterward by the ZEISS subsidiary Zeiss Ikon for the camera that was to become legendary.