Karl Robert Wagner

Karl Robert Wagner

Karl Robert Wagner was a metalsmith, entrepreneur and designer who, from 1888 onwards, specialised in the production of high-quality metal goods and furniture made of sheet steel via his company Rowac (Robert Wagner Chemnitz).

After completing his training as a metalsmith, Wagner travelled extensively, visiting Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland between 1874 to 1879, before returning to Sachsen to complete his military service in Dresden and subsequently working first in a machine factory in Chemnitz, then from 1885 as a machine fitter in the Saxon Machine Factory. Although he was offered the opportunity to work as a foreman in the spinning department of the Wiede'sche Machine Factory, Wagner decided to set up his own company.

In 1909, Karl Robert Wagner developed the "Model 1", the world's first riveted seating solution crafted from strip steel, the so-called Rowac-Schemel. The innovative processing of strip steel into a light, square U-profile made it possible to use material sparingly without having to compromise on stability. The result was a beautiful, durable and yet lightweight stool.

Other ergonomic furniture for workshops and offices followed, including chairs, tables, tool boxes and cabinets, which were popular throughout Germany for decades and were also used and appreciated in the rooms of the Bauhaus.

Carl or Karl Robert Wagner?

Karl Robert Wagner was originally born with the first name ‘Carl’. However, since his son Kurt joined the family business, his name has appeared in all documents with a ‘K’. Even in his obituary, he was listed as Karl Robert Wagner. This suggests that he deliberately chose this spelling.