Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/11/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The Historical Society for Retina Cameras has announced that Helmut Nagel, the son of the founder of Kodak A.G. and a former director of the company, died on 27th September. Dr August Nagel was a principal in the Contessa-Nettel concern in Stuttgart; this was one of the four companies which, in 1926, was merged into the new Zeiss Ikon company. Dr Nagel was forced out of management and, as a result, sold out and used the monies so received to found a new company in Stuttgart which was then bought out by Kodak. The antagonism with Zeiss explains why so few cameras from Kodak A.G. bear Zeiss lenses but, instead, use Schneider or Rodenstock glass. Kodak A.G. is prinicipally remembered as the manufacturer of the Retina line which lasted for almost forty years until production ceased in 1969. Dr Nagel continued to manage Kodak A.G. until his death in 1943, when his son, Helmut, became manager of the plant at Stuttgart-Wangen. Helmut Nagel continued in management until his retirement in late 1979. Another bit of camera history has passed away. Those interested in the Historical Society for Retina Cameras are urged to contact Dr David Jentz at RETINACAM@msn.com. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!