Since Kern & Co. AG, Aarau is also related to Wild Heerbrugg and I also
collect Kern instruments I will give you also a overview about there history.
And on the following page will I give you some information how to date your
Kern instrument:
How old is my
Kern instrument
| Date |
Action / Milestones |
| 1819 |
| Founding of Mechanische Werkstätte "Jakob
Kern" Aarau,
Switzerland |
Jakob
Kern (August 17, 1790 - February 4, 1867) |
 |
 |
|
| |
The first items produced were drawing instruments.
(This picture came from the first pricing brochure)
 |
Later, he became well known for his geodetic and astronomical
instruments:
This theodolite was purchased in 1835 by the well known General
Dufour, who made the first triangulation survey in
Switzerland. |
 |
|
| 1857 |
|
| 1863 |
Jakob
Kern retired from business |
| 1885 |
Adolf Kern retired from the business and
his son Heinrich Kern (1857-1934) assumed management
responsibility for the firm. |
| 1885 |
new name: Kern & Co. |
| 1897 |
Emil Kern retired
from business |
| 1914 |
foundation of a company: Kern & Co.
AG |
| 1.June
1920 |
New location: Schachen, Aarau
(1920 and 1979)
  |
| 1933 |
Heinrich
Kern retired
from business
His son Walter Kern (*1888) was managing the
firm. |
| 1945 |
The first subsidiary firm formed in the USA.
Others were formed in 1972 in Canada; 1976 in Brazil and Denmark. |
| 1961 |
Peter Kern, 5th generation family member,
(1921- ) joined the board of directors. |
| 13.May
1988 |
Merged with the Wild Leitz group. |
| 1991 |
closing down the plant in Aarau |
