His pioneering spirit remains exemplary: Joseph von Fraunhofer’s historic glass manufactory reopens

Feierliche Eröffnung vor historischer Kulisse: Toni Ortlieb, Prof. Holger Hanselka, Dr. Markus Söder und Pater Heinz Menz durchschneiden das Band zur offiziellen Einweihung der Glashütte Benediktbeuern. (V.l.n.r.: Prof. Timo Mappes, Deutsches Optisches Museum Jena; Prof. Michael Decker, Deutsches Museum; Toni Ortlieb, Bürgermeister Benediktbeuern; Prof. Holger Hanselka, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; Dr. Markus Söder, Bayerischer Ministerpräsident; Pater Heinz Menz, Kloster Benediktbeuern; Dr. Markus Speidel, Münchner Stadtmuseum und Andreas Bräu als Joseph von Fraunhofer)

© Fraunhofer / Marc Conzelmann
Festive opening against a historic backdrop: Toni Ortlieb, Prof. Holger Hanselka, Dr. Markus Söder and Father Heinz Menz cut the ribbon for the official inauguration of the Benediktbeuern Glassworks. (From left to right: Prof. Timo Mappes, German Optical Museum Jena; Prof. Michael Decker, Deutsches Museum; Toni Ortlieb, Mayor of Benediktbeuern; Prof. Holger Hanselka, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria; Father Heinz Menz, Benediktbeuern Abbey; Dr. Markus Speidel, Munich City Museum and Andreas Bräu as Joseph von Fraunhofer)

Germany faces major challenges: it ranks among the world’s leaders in research, yet many innovations still reach the market too slowly. More than 200 years ago, Joseph von Fraunhofer demonstrated how research transfer can be accelerated. As craftsman, researcher and entrepreneur, he combined scientific insight with practical application. In honour of its namesake, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has today reopened his historic glassworks in Benediktbeuern together with high-ranking guests from politics, research and society.

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