1921

In April, a workshop named "Heinrich Wild, Precision Mechanics and Optics" is established in Heerbrugg by Colonel Jacob Schmidheiny of Balgach, geologist Dr. Robert Helbling of Flums, and surveyor Heinrich Wild of Glarus.

With around 30 employees, Heinrich Wild begins crafting his inaugural instruments, including the T2 Universal Theodolite.

The company's workshop name in 1921.

1922

During autumn, the inaugural phototheodolite becomes operational, coinciding with the establishment of an apprenticeship school for precision mechanics.

1923

A joint-stock company named "Heinrich Wild - Geodetic Instruments Sales Company" is founded to market their products, receiving a substantial financial boost from Ernst Schmidheiny.

The first A1 Stereo-Autograph undergoes testing, marking the initial sale of their leveling equipment.

Their international reach begins with Ahrend Holding N.V. in Amsterdam becoming their first overseas agent, while the company establishes its own construction department.

1924

The initial batch of T2 Universal Theodolites is dispatched, leading to the absorption of "Heinrich Wild, Precision Mechanics and Optics" into the "Heinrich Wild - Geodetic Instruments Sales Company."

1925

Development continues with the design of an optical alidade for a plane table, and the completion of the first Universal Autograph in June.

Plans are underway for the T3 Precision Theodolite and the N3 Precision Level, while the workforce expands to 130.

Albert Schmidheini joins as Managing Director.

1926

Production facilities for optical components are relocated to Rebstein, along with the establishment of an optics training school.

The A2 Autograph enters mass production, while international representation expands to include agencies in Stockholm and Milan.

1927

The factory's first aerial camera, the C1, is rolled out, alongside the establishment of additional agencies in Spain, Austria, and beyond.

1928

Serial production commences for the T2 and T3 theodolites, N1, N2, and N3 levels, P3 Phototheodolite, and A2 Autograph.

Gebr. Wichmann K.G., Berlin, becomes the German agent.

1929

Production begins for the C2 and C3 Aerial Cameras.

1930

Expansion necessitates the addition of an upper floor to the Heerbrugg factory, coinciding with a surge in the workforce to 260.

New ventures include agency openings in Mexico, bringing the global count to 27.

Instrument control area at the Heerbrugg factory, 1930.

1931

The economic downturn impacts operations, leading to a reduction in the workforce to 151.

1932

Production diversifies with the introduction of the NK1 Compact Level, T0 Compass Theodolite, T1 Repetition Theodolite, and more.

New agencies are established in Finland, Greece, and the United States.

1933

Market offerings expand with the T0 Compass Theodolite, C12 Stereometric Camera, and A4 Autograph.

The workforce contracts to 125.

1934

The factory releases its first T1 Theodolite and E1 Rectifier.

1935

Expanding global presence includes agencies in Oslo, Bangkok, and Haifa, alongside a new agency in Turkey.

1936

Agencies are established in Luxembourg and El Salvador.

1937

Product enhancements include the N2 Engineer's Level and the A5 Autograph, alongside the introduction of the RC3 Automatic Aerial Camera.

1938

Innovations continue with the A6 Second-Order Stereo-Plotter and the S3 Stereoscope.

Expanded facilities accommodate a growing workforce of 630, with representation in 37 countries.

1939

New products include the K2 Optical Alidade, with the company diversifying into microscope production.

Military service impacts the workforce as World War II begins.

1940

The establishment of an Insurance Fund marks a step towards employee welfare.

1941

Further support is provided with the creation of a Company Welfare Fund and expanded research facilities.

1942

Product developments include the RC5 Automatic Aerial Camera.

1943

Innovations continue with the launch of the TM0 Rangefinder and the expansion of factory premises.

1944

New products include the T4 Universal Instrument.

1945

Global expansion sees the opening of agencies in the Philippines and Venezuela.

1946

The company extends its reach with new agencies in India and Singapore.

1947

Product offerings expand with the introduction of microscopes.

Company acquisitions include OMAG in Allschwil, Switzerland.

1948

Innovations include the Aviotar photogrammetric lenses.

International expansion includes the founding of overseas agencies.

1949

Production expands with the A7 Autograph and establishment of research departments.

1950

Further product releases include the A8 Autograph and RC7 Aerial Camera.

International presence grows with new agencies.

A8 Autograph stereoplotters in operation, circa 1950.

1951

Wild Paris, a company-owned agency, is established in France.

1952

New products include the BC4 Ballistic Camera. International exposure grows with participation in the 7th International Photogrammetric Congress.

1953

Infrastructure expands with the opening of a new administrative building in Heerbrugg

1954

Product lineup expands with the RC8 Aerial Camera and Reprogon.

1955

New products include the TM10 Tacheometric Rangefinder and T16 Direct Reading Theodolite.

1956

Innovations continue with improvements to the T2 Universal Theodolite. The "Optik-Hus" canteen and social center opens in Heerbrugg.

1957

New products include the A9 Autograph and RC9 Super-Wide-Angle Camera. Expansion continues with the establishment of Wild Portugal.

1958

Enhancements include the T1A Theodolite with automatic vertical index. New products include the B8 and B9 Aviographs. The company school for apprentices relocates to a new building.

The Distomat DI50 was the world’s first electronic distance metre with a measuring range of 100 metres to 50 kilometres.

1959

Product lineup expands with the M4 and M5 Stereomicroscopes. Expansion continues with agencies in Nigeria and New Zealand.

1960

New products include the M5 Stereomicroscope with drawing tube. The Insurance Fund transitions to a Pension Fund.

1961

Further developments include enhancements to the M4 Stereomicroscope. Workforce reaches a milestone of 3000 employees. New subsidiaries are established in Oberriet and Rio de Janeiro.

1962

New products include the NA2 Automatic Level and DI50 Microwave Distancer. Infrastructure expands with the completion of a new optics building in Rebstein. Acquisitions include the Leidolf camera factory in Wetzlar, Germany.

1963

Innovations continue with the GAK1 Gyro Attachment and Universal-Aviogon lens. Infrastructure expands with the completion of a new microscope assembly building. Subsidiary company OMAG relocates to a new factory.

1964

Product lineup expands with the B8 Stereomat and M40 Inverted Microscope. Corporate identity transitions to "Wild Heerbrugg Ltd."

1965

New products include the Transmitted Light Base for stereomicroscopes and IBM 360/40 computer installation. New subsidiary company is founded in Munich.

1966

Innovations continue with the M4A Stereomicroscope and M500 Infra-Red/Ultraviolet Image Converter Unit. Workforce reaches a milestone of 3724 employees. New subsidiary is established in Stockholm.

1967

Product lineup expands with the SR9500 GPS survey receiver. Infrastructure expands with the addition of a self-service restaurant.

1968

New products include the DI10 Distomat Infra-Red Distancer and RC10 Universal Film Camera. Expansion continues with the founding of subsidiaries in the United States and Austria.

1969

Product lineup expands with the M501 Sampling Microscope. Research and development continue with Phase I GPS user equipment.

1970

New products include the M7 Zoom Stereomicroscope. Infrastructure expands with the construction of a new research and development building. Expansion continues with the establishment of a subsidiary factory in Austria.

1971

Expansion continues with plans to set up a subsidiary factory in Singapore. New products include the B8S Aviograph and P32 Terrestrial Camera.

1972

End of production on drawing instruments. New models introduced: Wild T2 with digital reading. Contracts secured for defining 621B Signal structure.

1973

Introduction of DISTOMAT Wild DI3.

1974

Introduction of GLO Laser ocular and Wild RC10 Aerial camera. Contract secured for developing Phase I GPS user equipment.

1975

Introduction of new models: Wild T05, T1, and T16. Introduction of new microscope M8.

1976

Introduction of Epimakroscop Wild M450 and Photomakroskop M400. Introduction of Avioplan Wild OR1. Development and delivery of Phase I GPS equipment.

1977

Introduction of Wild Tachymat TC1. Introduction of Magnavox X-Set for tracking GPS signal from space.

The fully automatic electronic infrared tachymeter TC1 was presented at the 15th FIG Congress in Stockholm in 1977.

1978

Introduction of new models: Wild N3, ZL, and NL. Introduction of integrated Transit and Omega navigator, the MX1105.

1979

Introduction of Mikrophotosystem MPS45.

1980

Introduction of DISTOMAT Wild DI4 and Aviolyt AC1. Commencement of production of surgery microscopes M610/M630/M650.

1981

Introduction of Wild DI10 and Di20. Introduction of MX4102 marine satellite navigator.

1982

Introduction of Wild BC1.

1983

Introduction of Theomat Wild T2000 and surgery microscope M690.

1984

Introduction of DISTOMAT Wild DI5. Introduction of first five-channel commercial GPS receiver, the T-Set.

The GPS surveying system WM101 "is an easily transportable equipment weighing just 14.5 kilograms" - as it was advertised in 1984.

1985

Introduction of DISTOMAT Wild DI1000 and electronic Theodolite Wild T1000. Development and delivery of Phase II GPS user equipment.

1986

Introduction of Wild WM101 and WM102 GPS Surveyor. Introduction of compact and rugged MX4400 commercial GPS navigator.

1987

Introduction of AVIOPHOT Wild RC20 Luftbild-Aufnahmesystem. Introduction of MX4818, the first six-channel differential GPS reference station.

1988

Introduction of Laser level Wild LNA2 and DISTOMAT Wild DI2000. Introduction of Theomat Wild T3000 and T1600. Introduction of Tachymeter Wild TC1000 and TC1600.

1989

Introduction of surgery microscope M655 and Mikrophotosystem MPS46/52. Introduction of Plotter Wild TA41. Development of Fast Ambiguity Resolution Approach (FARA) for GPS.

1990

Introduction of Zoom-Stereo microscope M10 and Digital level Wild NA2000. Introduction of GPS + GLONASS navigation receiver. Introduction of all-digital six-channel GPS receiver, the MX4200.

1991

Introduction of Laser tracker: Leica SMART310. Introduction of GPS Planning and Postprocessing Software (SKI).

1992

Introduction of DISTO Handheld distance meter: Leica DISTO. Development under Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) for GPS-based Computer Aided Earth Moving (CAEM).

1993

Introduction of VECTOR Binoculars: Leica VECTOR. Participation as TRP winner for GPS-based technology development.

1994

Introduction of Leica DISTO, the first handheld laser meter. Participation in GPS user equipment development.

1995

Introduction of MX 9400, the world's most accurate L1 GPS navigation receiver. Introduction of System 300, a GPS Survey System.

1996

Design and installation of world's first high-precision real-time reference station network for Oresund project. Introduction of SR9500 GPS survey receiver.

1998

Introduction of Reflectorless total stations: Leica TPS1100 Professional Series and TPS300 Basic Series.

1999

Introduction of ClearTrak™ GPS receiver technology from Leica.

The portable imaging laser scanner BLK2GO, released to the market in 2019, digitises spaces in 3D while in motion.