![]() Eleventh and current AEG logo, designed by Prophet in 2016. This logo replaced the iconic Peter Behrens–designed logo dating back to 1912, which underwent four modifications (two of which also incorporated the Electrolux symbol) between 1985 and 2010.[1] | |
![]() AEG first headquarters | |
Company type | Aktiengesellschaft |
---|---|
Industry | Electrical industry |
Predecessor | Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen |
Founded | 1883 in Berlin as Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektricität |
Founder | Emil Rathenau |
Defunct | 2 October 1996 (brand rights acquired by Electrolux) |
Headquarters | Berlin, later Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ernst Stöckl (1996) |
Products | Electrical power generation and transmission Telecommunication (Phones and Mobile Phones) Automation Transportation and Automotive Home appliances Personal Care Machine Tools Projectors Printing equipment and Supplies |
Revenue | ![]() |
Number of employees | 11,000 (1995) |
Parent | Electrolux |
Website | aeg |
Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AG (German for 'General electricity company JSC';[2] AEG) was a German producer of electrical equipment. It was established in 1883 by Emil Rathenau as the Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektricität in Berlin.
The company's initial focus was driven by electrical lighting, as in 1881, Rathenau had acquired[3] the rights to the electric light bulb at the International Exposition of Electricity in Paris. Using small power stations, his company introduced electrical lighting to cafés, restaurants, and theaters, despite the high costs and limitations. By the end of the 19th century, AEG had constructed 248 power stations, providing a total of 210,000 hp of electricity for lighting, tramways, and household devices.[4]
During the Second World War, AEG worked with the Nazi Party and benefited from forced labour from concentration camps.[5] After the war, its headquarters moved to Frankfurt am Main.
In 1967, AEG joined with its subsidiary Telefunken AG, creating Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken. In 1985, Daimler-Benz purchased the AEG-Telefunken Aktiengesellschaft (which was renamed to AEG Aktiengesellschaft) and wholly integrated the company in 1996 into Daimler-Benz AG (1998: DaimlerChrysler). The remains of AEG became part of Adtranz (later Bombardier Transportation) and Deutsche Aerospace (1998: DASA, today part of Airbus SE).
After acquiring the AEG household subsidiary AEG Hausgeräte GmbH in 1994, Electrolux obtained the rights to the AEG brand name in 2005, which it now uses on some of its products. The AEG name is also licensed to various brand partners under the Electrolux Global Brand Licensing program.