Karl Robert Langewiesche

Karl Robert Langewiesche ( born December 18, 1874 in Reydt; † September 12, 1931 in Königstein im Taunus) was a German publisher. He founded in 1902 in Dusseldorf the publisher Langewiesche, who is one of the oldest independent publishing companies in Germany.

The bookseller son Langewiesche founded on 5 May 1902 in Dusseldorf his publisher with the goal of producing " elegant mass products at the lowest prices," so " just the masses, those who are called the uneducated to be of service through my work ". The concept was quickly successful, not least thanks to Langewiesches advanced marketing methods. He is regarded both as the inventor of the shop window poster, as well as the " advertising protection envelope ", a consistent further development of the blurb for books.

At first, his books devoted to subjects lifestyle and worldview. In 1907, he created the group of art books and photo picture books, for which he developed in 1907 a new type of cheap, this first-class quality illustrated book. From 1911 he used the brand name The Blue Books after his books were already equipped since 1902 with blue dust jackets, the - 1902 a first in the industry - advertising texts were printed.

1909 married Langewiesche Stefanie Rampelmann (1878 - 1956), who studied graphics in Stuttgart and Dusseldorf. The marriage remained childless.

1913 moved the publishing Langewiesche to Königstein im Taunus. To mark the 25th anniversary Publishing, 1927, he founded under the motto The good of all the even cheaper book series The Iron Hammer (1949 renamed Langewiesche library ) with red protective envelopes.

After the death Langewiesches the publishing of his widow, Stefanie Langewiesche was continued, assisted by Hans Koster (1902-1996), who worked in publishing since 1927.

His older brother William Langewiesche (1866-1934) founded his own publishing house in 1906 with the name Langewiesche -Brandt.