E. Kraft & Sohn (fl. 1823-1903), Vienna.

Kraft levelling instrument. Georg Winkler; Lehrbuch der Geometrie, J.G. Heubner, Wien 1829. e-rara.ch.

1823-1829 Kleinen Stiftgasse 186

1829-1833 Breitegasse 188

1834-1845 Breitegasse 189

1845-1871 Wiedner Hauptstr. 447

1871-1903 Theresianumgasse 27

Kraft's fully adjustable plane table, a total of 2150 were produced by his workshop. Georg Winkler; Lehrbuch der Geometrie, J.G. Heubner, Wien 1829. e-rara.ch.

Journal des Österreichischen Lloyd. 14. August 1845 [ANNO]

Kraft advert in Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger 1890. Wienbibliothek-digital.at

Carl Eduard Kraft was born in Halle an der Saale, Germany. At 18 he joined the Lützow Free Corps to fight against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 he settled in Vienna and was apprenticed to Gerhard Sadtler, who at the time was one of Vienna's most prominent instrument makers. Kraft established an independent workshop in the k.u.k. Technische Militärakademie (Military Engineering Academy) in 1823. Kraft is especially known for constructing a practical plane table, for which he received a patent in 1828. At the London Great Exhibition in 1851, Kraft served as a member of the jury. Under Emperor Ferdinand his achievements awarded him the goldenen Verdienstkreuz (Golden Cross of Merit). He was preceded in death by his wife, who was the daughter of Gerard Sadtler. His son Friedrich Wilhelm Kraft became a full partner in 1854. E. Kraft & Sohn provided surveying instruments for the construction of the Austrian railways, as well as providing instruments to Alois Negrelli von Moldelbe for the initial planning survey of the Suez canal. Friedrich Wilhelm continued trading until his death in 1901. E. Kraft & Sohn was liquidated in 1903.

A plane table compass and a large vernier protractor (315mm diameter) both signed E. Kraft & Sohn.

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NOTES

[1] Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger 1890, www.digital.wienbibliothek.at/

[2] Wiener Zeitung, 29. August 1863, p.344. ANNO - AustriaN Newspapers Online.

[3] Kraft protractor and drawing set at the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

[4] Polytechnisches Journal 1903, Band 318 (S. 97–100). "Die Firma E. Kraft & Sohn, Wien...ist inzwischen in Liquidation geraten..."

[5] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1828, p. 136. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Spitlberge 13."

[6] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1837, p. 137. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Laimgrube 189."

[7] Festschrift 100 Jahre Rudolf & August Rost 1888-1988.

[8] C. E. Kraft's obituary: Die Freie Presse 9.Januar 1880, p.4. [ANNO]

[9] Bericht über die gegenwärtige österreichische allgemeine Induftrie-Äusftellung. Beilage zum Journale des österreichischen Lloyd. 10.08.1845. No. XXXVII, p.7. [ANNO]

[10] In 1832 Kraft announced a newly constructed 'Elliptograph', Wiener Zeitung 21.01.1832 [ANNO].