Economy and history
Economy and history
Friedrichshafen, with a population of around 59,000, is situated in the middle of the border triangle between Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With a job-market of 28,000 and numerous students, it's one of the most important economical centres on lake Constance.
Around 50% of those employed in Friedrichhafen commute daily from the area surrounding the "Zeppelin Town". Friedrichshafen is therefore an important centre of employment in the region.
Due to the presence of concerns operating on an international level, the town orientates itself in the direction of innovative techniques and foreward-looking technologies. The emphasis lies on the aviation industry, the motor industry and the software industry. Many small and middle-sized companies complete the picture. Dynamic development and innovation are guiding the town on the northerly banks of Lake Constance into the future.
With Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, the production of the zeppelins and the first ever airship take-off on july 2nd 1990, Friedrichshafen began its development as a centre of commerce and technology.
Many companies in the airship branch were founded in Friedrichshafen and the surrounding area: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, EADS Deutschland GmbH, Zeppelin Silos & Systems GmbH and Tognumkonzern.
Today, these firms are internationally successful and provide us with mobility on the water, on land and in the air. In the meantime, the zeppelins are once again airborne over the lake as a tourist attraction and both the Zeppelin-Museum and the Dornier-Museum, which is still under construction, are a reminder of days gone by.
The town of Friedrichshafen
The beginnings of the town date back to the founding of the Alemanni village Alt-Buchhorn in the 5th century AD.
1811
King Friedrich von Württemberg merges Buchhorn with Dorf and Kloster Hofen to "Town and Castle Friedrichshafen". The town has only 750 inhabitants.
1824
The first steamboat takes to the waters of Lake Constance and, with the take-off of the first Zeppelin airship on July 2nd 1900, a development commences, which defines our town to this very day.
1915
The airship base Löwenthal is built and, by 1928, already converted into a public airport. The earlier railroad ferry also transports cars and lorries to Romanshorn since the year 1929. The construction of the port railway station is completed in 1933.
1943/45
The town is almost completely destroyed by air raids. The era of repair and reconstruction after the war is dominated by companies such as ZF-Friedrichshafen AG, Motoren- und Turbinen Union Friedrichshafen GmbH (MTU), Zeppelin GmbH and Dornier-Gruppe.
1950
Friedrichshafen establishes itself as an exhibition centre with the hosting of the first International Bodenseemesse (IBO). In 1962 the first "Interboot" opens its doors, later followed by many further trade fairs, which, since July 2002, can be presented on a much larger scale on the new exhibition site.
1985 - 1996
With the inauguration of the "Graf-Zeppelin-Haus" centre for culture and conferences in 1985, the growing town is provided with a venue for culture and communication and the "Zeppelin Museum", opened in 1996 in the earlier port railway station, developes into a popular attraction for visitors.
2001
100 years after the virgin flight of the "flying mammoths", the Zeppelin era begins anew. Since 2001, the Zeppelin NT is once again to be seen floating soundlessly through the skies above Lake Constance with visitors to the region.
2003 - 2006
The ARENA, a multifunctional venue for up to 4,000 people, opens. The "House of Media", K42, at Karlstraße 42, follows suite at the end of 2006.
2007
Friedrichshafen wins the T-City Competion, organised by Deutsche Telekomm Ag, and in 2007 becomes the first T-City in Germany.
2009
In summer 2009 the Dornier Museum opened its doors and become a further highlight in the Friedrichshafen cultural scene.
2011
In 2011 Friedrichshafen celebrated its 200th anniversary. Also the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co. KG won the biggest order in its company history: 3 new Zeppelin NT for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. More information on the development of the Zeppelin NT project you can find here. At present Friedrichshafen has approx. 59,000 inhabitants.
The History Route
The historical sightseeing tour presents Friedrichshafen as an imperial town or yore and traditional industrial town. 50 information boards display the fluctuating development of the town since the 19th century. You can order the "Friedrichshafen History Route".
Services
If you’d like to do a little research before making your booking, simply have a look at our accommodation summary.
Are you looking for a room during your trade fair visit? The application form you can find here.
For conventions and conferences we also have special hotel allotmens.
Would you like to learn more about Friedrichshafen? Detailed information you can also find on www.friedrichshafen.de.
Friedrichshafen weather forecast
 |
Thursday |  |
|
| 15 °C, partly cloudy | |||
|
|||
 |
Friday | |
|
| 17 °C, cloudy | |||
|
|||
|
Saturday | |
|
| 22 °C, cloudy | |||
|
|||
| |
Sunday | |
|
| 23 °C, partly cloudy | |||
|
|||