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The best thing which we derive from history is the enthusiasm that it raises in us.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

The Thirties - Our Source of Inspiration In the 1930s a worldwide awakening period takes place. A transition from the Art Nouveau style of around 1900 to the Art Déco happens and new styles are being created and introduced. Now, cycling is leisure-time activity of the upper class that brings about the need for high quality bicycles. It has to be elegant, noble, robust, and made for long-distance cycling. During the 1930s beech wood is used to make rims, which represents the state-of-the-art; and that is exactly the reason why you will find beech wood rims in our models. Despite a worldwide economic crisis in the 1930s, the joy of living can be found everywhere-and it is exactly this exuberant enjoyment of life that we want to express with our WELTRAD bicycles.

History of the "WELTRAD" works in Schönebeck/Elbe (Germany).

Foundation: In times of industrial boom in Germany, the locksmiths Carl Hoyer and Walter Glahn found the company “Hoyer&Glahn – Elektrotechnische Werkstatt” in Schönebeck/Elbe to produce high voltage current and weak current as well as lightning protection systems.

The company “Hoyer&Glahn” establishes the bicycle factory "Fahrradfabrik von Hoyer und Glahn – Weltrad" in Schönebeck/Elbe.
This bicycle factory by the name of “Weltrad” becomes one of the most famous bicycle manufacturers in Germany that is well known for its high quality bicycles.
The rolling of the tubular connections of the bicycle frames is an invention by “Weltrad”, which replaces hard soldering of frames and changes bicycle construction in a fundamental way. Thanks to this ingenious invention, “Weltrad” becomes an international bicycle manufacturer.

On July 1897 “Weltrad” changes its legal form into a company limited by shares (Aktiengesellschaft) with a nominal capital of 1,000,000.00 Mark. This way capital for extensions and modern machine tools, such as high-power driving engines, is available.

At the general meeting in January 1900, it is resolved to change the company name to "Metallindustrie Schönebeck Aktiengesellschaft". The bicycles produced keep the name "WELTRAD".
In an advertisement in the Festschrift “100 Jahre königliches Solbad Elmen“ (100 Years of the royal Saline Bath Elmen) of 1902, one can see that the company already provides a broad product range.
In addition to manufacturing “WELTRAD” bicycles, the company produces juke boxes and vending machines, cast parts for machines, household appliances, and machines for bakeries as well as for butchers.

Now, the company produces only bicycles and motorcycles.

The production of automobiles starts, but the retirement of the director, Treskow, puts an end to this in 1907. In 1906 the products are exhibited at the Leipzig Trade Fair.
The bicycle free wheel "Mundus" is developed by the "Metall-Industrie Schönebeck" and protected by patents across Europe and the US.
The number of personnel (200 workers in 1902) increases to 400 workers in 1904; in 1906 the personnel reaches even 550.

The bycicle production rate increases to thirty times of the previous rate. Until 1913/14 this rate increases even to eighty times of the previous rate.
Number of bicycles produced:
1902: 2,300 pieces
1903: 11,000 pieces
1904: 30,000 pieces
1905: 60,000 pieces
1913: 73,000 pieces

The motorcycle production stops, but the patented invention of the ignition device needs to be mentioned here. Later the patent is taken over by the German entrepreneur Opel.
In 1907 the motorcycles are tested in the Emperor Manoeuvre; those motorcycles achieve gold medals in different races.
The motor cylinders and different parts are manufactured in their own iron foundry.

This is the first time that bicycle frames are constructed through autogenous welding. This way the "Metallindustrie Schönebeck" can be seen as the pacemaker of welded bicycle frames.
The production of typewriters (brand "Mentor") starts.

Because of the First World War, the production of armaments (grenade igniters, bayonets…) takes place, but the production of bicycles continues.

The prohibition of cycling and the confiscation of rubber stop the national bicycle production.

Despite war and inflation an expansion of property and an erection of new production halls takes place.

The production of one bicycle needs 9.75 working hours.

The operation of the railway siding begins.

The production of baby carriages starts.

“WELTRAD” is again engaged in armament production; “WELTRAD” fabricates machinegun parts, carriages...

The bicycle production collapses because suppliers of spokes, tires, tubes… from Western Germany are not available anymore.

“WELTRAD” merges with the automobile and engine factory “Breslauer Fahrzeug- und Motorenwerke GmbH” (FAMO), which moved to Schönebeck/Elbe in 1945. 2.5 billion bicycles and 435,557 baby carriages have been produced until 1948.

The new name is “VEB Traktorenwerk Schönebeck”, which produces well-known products (RS 09, ZT 300, Maral…).

Once again the name changes into “Landtechnik Schönebeck GmbH” (LTS); afterwards it is know as “Schlüter GmbH” and finally it will produce it products under the name of “Doppstadt GmbH” until 2003

 

The Beginning of Two Passions

Göran Scherf, proprietor of "WELTRAD Fahrräder & Service" in Schönebeck/Elbe (Germany), begins to revive and restore original WELTRAD bicycles.

René Leue buys his first restored bicycle from Mr. Scherf.

The new WELTRAD bicycle is developed.

René Leue found the “WELTRAD manufactur” and produces new WELTRAD bicycles on the basis of original models. The only difference is the availability and the use of the latest technical developments.

- Until June 6, 2004: 22 bicycles are produced in a small pilot production line.
- July 15, 2004: The production of bicycles begins.
- July 24, 2004: Open house. The WELTRAD manufactur invites its guests to convince with quality and to present its product range.
- A WELTRAD bicycle has its first TV appearance on MDR. Other TV appearances on ZDF and RBB follow soon.
- A cooperative agreement between WELTRAD and the Landesmarketinggesellschaft of Saxony-Anhalt is developed. WELTRAD makes its public breakthrough by becoming the partner of Saxony-Anhalt.
- Guest rooms for international and national guests are built. These rooms are also open to bicycle connoisseurs and cyclists that travel along the famous river “Elbe”.
- WELTRAD has now the label “Radfreundliche Unterkunft“ (cycler-friendly accommodation) and is certified as “Bett & Bike” (bed and bike) by the ADFC.

- WELTRAD sells its first bicycle to a customer from Auckland (New Zealand).
- WELTRAD is now “testable”: WELTRAD launches a bicycle rental in Zinnowitz (Germany).
- WELTRAD bicycles are not available to tourists and residents on the Baltic Sea island “Usedom”, which is a great success.
- The ARD television lottery takes WELTRAD bicycles to the international radio exhibition IFA Berlin 2005.
- The German radio station “MDR Sachsen-Anhalt” orders the first WELTRAD bicycle as MDR edition.
- WELTRAD introduces decoration techniques of the past. Lining by hand is applied to chain guard, guards and rims. This proves to be a great success and means uniqueness and authenticity.
- WELTRAD sells its first bicycle to a customer from Oregon (US) and to a client living in Brazil. Most enthusiasts and fans are found at international trade fairs.
- WELTRAD is the winner of the “Neugründerwettstreit der Unternehmer des Landkreises Schönebeck 2005” (Competition of Company Founders of the District of Schönebeck 2005).
- WELTRAD lettering (airbrushed) on the frame has been made available.
- The WELTRAD wicker basket “Frohse” is created according to original blueprints.
- NDR WELTRAD bicycles are raffled off by the broadcast station NDR. Afterwards, the job of WELTRAD is to design and produce the NDR WELTRAD bicycle.

- The presenter Heike Götz rides with a WELTRAD bicycle across the country in each “NDR Landpartie”. Germany’s television cook Tim Mälzer rides along with her.
- The new hybrid bike WELTRAD “Rekord” is developed in corporation with the Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg (Germany). In 2008 the prototype appears on a page of Germany’s men’s magazine “GQ”.
- There is the possibility to acquire all frame constructions of the GDR national team. WELTRAD jumps at the opportunity and WELTRAD produces now with the tools of the past, which had been used to build frames for Olaf Ludwig, Uwe Raab, Uwe Ampler, Jens Heppner and for other famous cyclists.
- 20 WELTRAD bicycles in lottery colours are raffled off by the ARD television lottery. It takes almost one year (March 2007) to produce a personal WELTRAD bicycle for every winner.

- There is no room left! The order books are well filled and WELTRAD begins to erect the glass storeroom (completion: March 2008).
- Since then pre-booked guided tours to the WELTRAD manufactur increase drastically through travel agencies. Now, WELTRAD is a tourist attraction along the famous river “Elbe”.
- WELTRAD launches a bicycle rental in Travemünde (Germany).
- WELTRAD gets more and more admirers from abroad through international trade fairs. Share of exports: more than 10 per cent.
- Because of an increasing number of personalised guided tours in small groups (clients of WELTRAD and cyclists riding along the “ELBE”), WELTRAD has to add guest rooms.

- WELTRAD goes to UK! Wales and England go and get German quality workmanship.
- Latest quality standards make its arrival. Much time and money is spent on a new production sequence for the high precision frame construction.
- WELTRAD provides Heike Götz with new WELTRAD bicycles in amber and NDR blue. This way she rides upon a matching WELTRAD bicycle.
- Once again the WELTRAD bicycles are raffled off by the ARD television lottery.