The Foil and Coating Factory David Morgenstern – the arrival of the industrial age

Jewish entrepreneurs played a significant role in the industrialization of Forchheim. Water power from the rivers, good transport links and cheap labour made Forchheim a promising location.

From their inception or for long periods the Optical Works A. Schweizer, the Paper Works Ellern, the Paint Manufactory C. Kreul and the Foil and Coatings Works were all Jewish owned.

By 1854 two Jewish businessmen from Fürth had recognized Forchheim’s potential. The 35-year-old merchant, Joseph Pfeifer Morgenstern and Moritz Frankenthal, son of a factory owner, bought a water mill on the south side of the town where they installed a mirror glass and foil manufactory and from 1855 onwards they produced mercury coated, zinc foil. In 1861 Dr. David Morgenstern (1814-1882) took over the foil manufactory from his brother Joseph. The company expanded continuously and began with the production of copper foil, tinsel and tinfoil. The company remained in the family until Aryanization by the National Socialists in 1935. From 1940 onwards, special foils have continued to be manufactured on the site.