This article was originally published in the "Swiss Journal of Surveying, Cultural Engineering, and Photogrammetry” now available in the ETH Library, which pays tribute to Heinrich Wild (the son) upon his retirement from the Board of Directors of Kern & Co.
On September 29, 1967, Heinrich Wild retired as director of the company upon reaching the retirement age. Those not closely affiliated with the company were likely unaware of this, as Mr. Wild preferred not to be celebrated. However, it is a matter of justice to remind our readers of the contributions of the departing individual, to whom the company owes a great deal.
Heinrich Wild's career at Kern Company is characterized by the following milestones. He joined the company on December 1, 1935, became a procurator in 1941, and was subsequently promoted to head of the technical-scientific department. In September 1950, he was elected director by the board of directors, thus becoming a member of the management team.
Heinrich Wild's entry into Kern Company in 1935 was not arbitrary. Rather, it fulfilled a condition set by his father, Dr. Heinrich C. Wild, when the collaboration between him and Kern was agreed upon in the autumn of the same year.
"As an outstanding designer and inventor of geodetic and photogrammetric devices, his father demanded that his son oversee and take responsibility for the proper execution of new designs."
He feared that without his son's involvement, which relied on extensive experience in the manufacture of circles and in the assembly of optical theodolites, the agreed collaboration might prove fruitless.
Such concerns were understandable, as Kern, although renowned for surveying instruments since 1819, lacked experience in the serial production of theodolites and in manufacturing glass circles with highly precise divisions in 1935. Thus, at the beginning of his career, Heinrich Wild junior spent a significant amount of time in the parts department, boiling wax, grinding with chisels, and conducting partial experiments until, following adjustments to the part machine and the provision of new scribing works, the first glass circles became available. This marked an important initial step.
Subsequently, he constructed a circle referencing apparatus and, finally, his own machine parts based on ideas from Dr. Wild. Mr. Wild junior ensured the technically optimal mounting of the vital machines parts on special foundations, thereby laying the groundwork for today's highly precise Kern glass circles. Many technical challenges had to be addressed, and internal resistance had to be overcome until the complete series of new double-circle theodolites and NK levels could be exhibited at the International Geodetic Congress in Rome in 1938. This remarkable achievement was duly acknowledged by the professional community. Unfortunately, soon after, the Second World War broke out, and only a few of the new, modern devices exhibited in Rome could be manufactured.
However, after the war, the production of surveying instruments was greatly accelerated. Inspired by Dr. h. c. Wild's tilting tripod, the ball joint tripods for the levels were developed. The GK 1, the first instrument with such a tripod without foot screws, was introduced to the market. This was followed by the RK tilt rule. Then came the significant breakthrough of the centering tripod. Subsequently, the greatly simplified ball joint tripod, the GK 0, was created. The NK levels were replaced by the GK levels. The wooden and metal containers had to give way to new plastic containers.
The introduction of the double-image tachymeter DK-RT at the International Geodetic Congress in Lausanne in 1949 marked the beginning of the development of today's tachymeter series DK-RT - DK-RV - K1-RA. In the post-war period, under the leadership of Heinrich Wild, the world-famous Switar lenses and the Focalpin binoculars with internal focusing were developed. He was the driving force behind the inclusion of photogrammetry in the production program of the Kern company.
"Since Mr. Wild was well acquainted with the requirements that practice imposes on surveying instruments, quality was paramount for him."
In the introduction of laboratories and systematic final inspections independent of production, he saw suitable measures to maintain high quality. Mr. Wild had excellent knowledge of theoretical optics and optical system calculations. Therefore, it was natural for him to vigorously advocate for the acquisition of the first electronic computer in 1954.
"After 32 years of service, Mr. Wild can retire with the satisfaction of having achieved great and decisive things with a particularly small staff. The Kern company is greatly indebted to him."
Although he often anticipated trends with his ideas and the company had to pioneer, today's sales figures and the high recognition of the devices in practice confirm that he was on the right path. He can count many experts in Germany and abroad among his circle of acquaintances. They all appreciate the absolute reliability and the finely sensitive nature of his character, which is not immediately apparent. He was generous in thought and action and very open-minded about social issues. Mr. Wild is fortunate to begin the new phase of his life in excellent health after his retirement. The editorial team of the magazine wishes him all the best!
