Heinz Waaske

Heinz Waaske (1924 – 1995) was a German camera designer, notably father of the Rollei 35.

Early career

Born in Berlin, Heinz Waaske started his career as a precision mechanic apprentice at Telefunken in Sickingenstraße in Berlin, where he studied from 1939 to 1942. After serving in the German army during World War II, being severely wounded and taken prisoner, he joined Krenzin in Berlin-Kreuzberg. There he encountered camera technology for the first time, and developed a great taste for it. For financial reasons, he could not study engineering. He started designing a 16mm miniature camera in his spare time, and sold the prototype in 1948 for 3.000 Marks.

Work with Wirgin

From 1948, Waaske transferred to the Wirgin brothers company in Wiesbaden. He worked as a precision mechanic and soon rose to head of the prototype workshop, to technical designer, and eventually to chief designer. He first improved the medium format 6x9 cameras, allowing cheaper manufacturing procedures.