Sophie Opel(1840-1913)
She grew up with nine siblings in modest circumstances as the daughter of an innkeeper. She attended school in Dornholzhausen, where she also learned the French language. At a young age she met the journeyman locksmith Adam Opel. He founded the Adam Opel company in Rüsselsheim in 1862 to produce sewing machines. The couple married on November 17, 1868. Her dowry turned out to be poor. Shortly afterwards, her father won 100,000 thalers in a Braunschweig lottery. Sophie and her nine siblings achieved a little prosperity. Sophie Opel used her share to support her husband's workshop.
The company expanded and a steam engine was purchased. It was only through these innovations that mass production became possible. In 1869, 40 workers worked for the sewing machine company Opel. In 1864, 15 years later, there were 300 employees. The production capacity at that time was 18,000 sewing machines annually. Sophie also lent a strong hand in the company. She took care of the payment of wages, the field sales force and the trainees. She was also the mother of five sons: Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Fritz and Ludwig, who were born to the Opel couple between 1869 and 1880. Until 1887, Opel only manufactured sewing machines. In the same year, however, he partially converted production to bicycles, although the production of sewing machines continued.
The company was so successful in the bicycle sector that it became the largest bicycle manufacturer in Germany. Adam Opel died on September 8, 1887 as a result of typhoid fever. He left behind a thriving company. Sophie Opel then became manager of the company and, together with her sons, a partner in the machine and bicycle factory. In 1898 she followed her sons' advice and began producing motor vehicles. At the end of the 19th century, the automobile industry in Germany was still in its infancy. There was no German company that mass-produced motor vehicles. As early as 1901, the Adam Opel company manufactured 30 cars. Sewing machines were still manufactured on the side. By 1911, annual production had already increased to 3,000 units.
In the same year, the entire Opel factory fell victim to a major fire. Afterwards, reconstruction began immediately. However, the production of sewing machines stopped. The Opel company focused exclusively on the production of motor vehicles. However, the bicycles remained in the range until 1937. In 1912 the company, with Sophie Opel at the helm, celebrated its 50th anniversary. During this time the company employed 4,000 people. Opel had long since become one of the leading automobile companies in Germany.
Sophie Opel died on October 30, 1913 in Rüsselsheim.
In 1929, when the company had now become a stock corporation, Adam Opel AG sold the company to the US company General Motors, of which it still belongs today. In 2017, PSA from France took over Adam Opel AG.
The company expanded and a steam engine was purchased. It was only through these innovations that mass production became possible. In 1869, 40 workers worked for the sewing machine company Opel. In 1864, 15 years later, there were 300 employees. The production capacity at that time was 18,000 sewing machines annually. Sophie also lent a strong hand in the company. She took care of the payment of wages, the field sales force and the trainees. She was also the mother of five sons: Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Fritz and Ludwig, who were born to the Opel couple between 1869 and 1880. Until 1887, Opel only manufactured sewing machines. In the same year, however, he partially converted production to bicycles, although the production of sewing machines continued.
The company was so successful in the bicycle sector that it became the largest bicycle manufacturer in Germany. Adam Opel died on September 8, 1887 as a result of typhoid fever. He left behind a thriving company. Sophie Opel then became manager of the company and, together with her sons, a partner in the machine and bicycle factory. In 1898 she followed her sons' advice and began producing motor vehicles. At the end of the 19th century, the automobile industry in Germany was still in its infancy. There was no German company that mass-produced motor vehicles. As early as 1901, the Adam Opel company manufactured 30 cars. Sewing machines were still manufactured on the side. By 1911, annual production had already increased to 3,000 units.
In the same year, the entire Opel factory fell victim to a major fire. Afterwards, reconstruction began immediately. However, the production of sewing machines stopped. The Opel company focused exclusively on the production of motor vehicles. However, the bicycles remained in the range until 1937. In 1912 the company, with Sophie Opel at the helm, celebrated its 50th anniversary. During this time the company employed 4,000 people. Opel had long since become one of the leading automobile companies in Germany.
Sophie Opel died on October 30, 1913 in Rüsselsheim.
In 1929, when the company had now become a stock corporation, Adam Opel AG sold the company to the US company General Motors, of which it still belongs today. In 2017, PSA from France took over Adam Opel AG.