The famous Solingen cutlery industry has always been de-centralised. Due to the dependency on waterpower, a very distinct division of tasks developed amongst the different companies.
Specialised craftsmen and trades were spread over the entire urban area: The manual forges which had developed into mechanised drop forges by the end of the 19th century, the cottage workshops with waterwheels, the steam-powered grinding workshops or the motorised workshops of the grinders and the small workshops of the quenchers or the fitters in the little hamlets. Over the past years, a partner network for industrial heritage has been formed to enable these structures as well as the historic developments and traditions of the Solingen cutlery industry to be presented in an appropriate manner. It is now possible to visit these industrial heritage locations which are managed and supported by the LVR-Industriemuseum Gesenkschmiede Hendrichs (Drop Forge).
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Pay office of the Herder company
Steam-powered grinding workshop Loosen Maschinn
