Passion and Reason

Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen and DKW

The ideal type of an entrepreneur is characterized by creativity and passion, combined with economic reason. J. S. Rasmussen (1878–1964), an engineer and entrepreneur,

and his DKW empire stands as a representative example of many medium-sized industrialists in Saxony. His story illustrates how closely success and decline can be intertwined – from rising to become the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer to losing economic independence as part of the Auto Union AG, founded in 1932.

Today, many people associate the name DKW with successful motorcycle racing and a diverse series of small cars. Few know that DKW made history in automotive technology with the front-wheel-drive Typ F1 on the frozen Eibsee in Bavaria. In this way, the company is part of Saxony’s automotive history, which continues to this day.

Continue in the permanent exhibition

Blick in die Puppenstube im Ausstellungsbereich 'Innen und Außen'

Inside and Outside

"The difference between existing and living lies in the use of free time." (Proverb)

Industrialization brings technological progress, but also the dissolution of traditional family structures.

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Blick in den Aussstellungsbereich 'Hell und Dunkel'

Light and Dark

From the Depths

Saxony has been a mining region for 850 years. Saxon mining has sparked technical and organizational innovations that have spread worldwide.

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Fire and Flame

Around 1900, there were more than 40 iron and steel foundries in Chemnitz. Foundries were also established in other Saxon cities.

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Today and Tomorrow

In the “Today and Tomorrow” section, current scientific and technological projects and new ideas from Saxon companies are presented.

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Exhibition Area “Watch and Marvel”: an industrial robot is visible on the left, a bodywork welding system on the right

Look and Wonder

Saxony equips today’s factory

Who else gets the chance to see a modern factory from the inside? Here, you can marvel at machine tools and a body welding line with industrial robots in full operation.

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Rechts im Bild ein Glasquader, gefüllt mit Smartphones; links im Bild ein Mädchen, was diesen betrachtet

Human and Machine

“We become in thought and action the servants of the machine we have developed to serve us.” (J. K. Galbraith)

Humans have been using tools since the Stone Age to make work easier. With the Industrial Revolution and the development of increasingly powerful machines, their lives changed fundamentally.

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Various Melitta coffee filters in the exhibition area “Search and Discover”

Searching and Finding

“We Saxons, we are clever, the whole world knows that.” (Folk saying)

Melitta coffee filters, Malimo fabrics, and the Brockhaus encyclopedia – these and many other useful things originated in Saxony.

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