Innovation and elegance – Berlin's industrial heritage

“Innovation and Elegance” Bicycle Route, developed by Berlin Center for Industrial Heritage. industriekultur.berlin

Berlin reinvented itself in the late nineteenth century. Industry and academia forged new alliances. Research conducted at universities, research institutes, and businesses spawned innovations that fundamentally transformed professional and private life. New forms of work using technologically advanced machinery had to be mastered, and new occupational safety and health measures had to be developed. Modern infrastructure for public transportation, cargo transport, and sanitation improved and simplified everyday life. The creation of Greater Berlin in 1920 provided important impulses for the coordinated development of the urban environment.

Berlin was a seedbed not only for invention but also for a new aesthetic, one that expressed the pride of those involved in the advancement of industry. Its prestige and self-assurance are reflected in the architecture of the period, from monumental power plants in Wilhelmine style to the innovative design of sober, functional buildings like the AEG Turbine Factory.

Research and development continue to be essential tasks of industry. Thanks to its solid infrastructure and many institutions of higher learning, Berlin is still an attractive location for traditional companies and startups alike.