Ludwig Hupfeld

Ludwig Hupfeld (* November 26, 1864 in Maberzell, today Fulda, † October 8, 1949 in Leipzig) was a musical instrument maker and industrialist.

Life and work

Hupfeld attended the Royal Grammar School in Fulda and took a commercial education in Cologne. In 1892 he acquired the Leipzig music trading company JM Grob & Co., which in Leipzig- Eutritzsch had his seat next to the music shop also produced mechanical instruments.

After the acquisition, the company name was changed to Hupfeld musical instrument works. Since its conversion into a public limited company in 1904, the company was named Ludwig Hupfeld AG. With the move, 1911, in Leipzig Böhlitz Ehrenberg an imposing factory plant. Hupfeld bought over the years on several construction companies and piano was after the merger in 1925 to lead the industry in Europe with the Leipzig firm Zimmermann. For his achievements he was awarded the title of Commerce. The Ludwig Hupfeld AG was in the 1920s, the largest manufacturer of mechanical musical works in Europe.

Among the best known products belonged since 1902, the self-playing piano Phonola in competition with the American Pianola. Rather modest success had Hupfeld with the 1908 featured Reproduction piano DEA, whose role later Triphonola took much more successful. Very successful was the so-called Hupfeld Phonoliszt - Violina which until 1930 was built about 3500 times.

After the Second World War, Ludwig Hupfeld AG, as in World War II ammunition boxes and fuel tanks were manufactured in factory, expropriated arms manufacturer, the company was founded in 1949 renamed VEB German Piano Union. This continued to produce pianos under the brand name Hupfeld. Today is the Piano Factory Leipzig GmbH & Co.KG located in the eponymous Ludwig Hupfeld -Straße 16 in Böhlitz Ehrenberg owner of the brand name Rönisch and Hupfeld and produces instruments with that name.

Ludwig Hupfeld was with his wife Elizabeth, nee Beyer (1874-1953), buried in the South Cemetery Leipzig in his family tomb. His grave can still be visited today.