Werner von Siemens
German inventor and industrialist who founded Siemens
- Lived
- 75 yrs
- 1816 – 1892
- Works listed
- 2
- Invention
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1886
- Profile views
- 3
- 0 followers
Werner von Siemens was a German inventor and industrialist who founded Siemens & Halske in 1847, the company that became Siemens. He discovered the dynamo-electric principle, built telegraph networks across Europe and Asia and demonstrated the first electric railway. The SI unit of conductance, the siemens, is named after him.
Biography
Early life
Siemens was one of 14 children of a tenant farmer. Without money for university, he joined the Prussian army, which trained him in engineering.
Siemens & Halske
In 1847 he improved the electrical telegraph and founded Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske in Berlin with the mechanic Johann Georg Halske. The firm built the first long-distance telegraph line in Europe and later the Indo-European telegraph line from London to Calcutta.
The dynamo
In 1866 he discovered the dynamo-electric principle, using the machine’s own current to power its electromagnets, making large-scale electricity generation practical. In 1879 he demonstrated the world’s first electric passenger railway in Berlin, followed by electric street lighting and an electric lift.
Legacy
He was ennobled in 1888 and died in 1892. Siemens became one of the world’s largest engineering companies, and the SI unit of electrical conductance bears his name.
Timeline
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1816
Born in Lenthe, near Hanover, Germany
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1847
Founds Siemens & Halske
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1848
Telegraph line Berlin–Frankfurt
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1866
Dynamo-electric principle
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1870
Indo-European telegraph line completed
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1879
First electric railway
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1888
Ennobled
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1892
Dies in Berlin
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1892
Died, aged 75
Notable works
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1847
Pointer telegraph Invention
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1866
Dynamo Invention
Awards and honours
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Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts
1886
Did you know?
-
1
He began inventing while imprisoned briefly for acting as a second in a duel.
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2
His brothers founded Siemens branches in London and St Petersburg.
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3
He coined the term “electrical engineering” in German.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Werner von Siemens?
Werner von Siemens was a German inventor and industrialist who founded Siemens & Halske in 1847, the company that became Siemens. He discovered the dynamo-electric principle, built telegraph networks across Europe and Asia and demonstrated the first electric railway. The SI unit of conductance, the siemens, is named after him.
When did Werner von Siemens die?
Werner von Siemens died on 6 December 1892 at the age of 75.
Where is Werner von Siemens from?
Werner von Siemens was born in Lenthe, near Hanover, Germany.
What is Werner von Siemens known for?
Werner von Siemens is best known for Founding Siemens & Halske (1847); the dynamo-electric principle; pointer telegraph; electric railway.
What awards has Werner von Siemens received?
Notable honours include Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts (1886).
References
- Werner von Siemens — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Werner von Siemens — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Werner von Siemens — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Werner von Siemens (Q58577) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Werner von Siemens”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Werner von Siemens.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/werner-von-siemens
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