ABSTRACT
A mathematics and physics professor at Germany’s University of Jena, Ernst Abbe became Carl Zeiss’s business partner in the development of optical glass technology. Following Zeiss’s death, Abbe formed the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation) to protect both the Zeiss firm and the Schott Glassworks from individual owner interests. In 1891, he transferred his shares of both companies to the Stiftung (as later did Zeiss’s heir and the founder of Schott Glassworks). The firms’ profits go to the foundation which, after making grants for scientific research and cultural activities, distributes the funds back to the firms to finance growth and employee benefits programmes. Many of these, including paid holidays, profit-sharing and a retirement plan, were introduced by Abbe himself.
