History

Biographies

Friedrich Bayer (1825–1880)

He sowed the seed for the future Bayer AG by entering "Friedrich Bayer et. Compagnie" into the commercial register on August 1, 1863.

Biography

Johann Friedrich Westkott (1821–1876)

The master dyer founded the company together with salesman Friedrich Bayer.

Biography

Carl Duisberg (1861–1935)

One of the central figures in Bayer’s history. Duisberg’s work was crucial to Bayer’s progress toward becoming a global group of companies.

Biography

Felix Hoffmann (1868–1946)

The chemist invented the "drug of the century", Aspirin®.

Biography

Gerhard Domagk (1895–1964)

The scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1939.

Biography

Otto Bayer (1902–1982)

Otto Bayer’s greatest achievements included the invention of polyurethane chemistry.

Biography

Ulrich Haberland (1900–1961)

The first Chairman of the Board of Management following World War II played the leading role in Bayer’s re-emergence in the 1950s.

Biography

Kurt Hansen (1910–2002)

Management Board Chairman from 1961 to 1974.
He played an outstanding part in the restructuring and international expansion of the Bayer Group.

Biography

Herbert Grünewald (1921–2002)

Management Board Chairman from 1974 to 1984.
A pioneer with respect to industry's ecological and social responsibility.

Biography

Hermann Josef Strenger (*1928)

As Management Board Chairman between 1984 and 1992, he strengthened the company’s divisional and financial structures.

Biography

Manfred Schneider (*1938)

His tenure as Management Board Chairman from 1992 to 2002 saw such important milestones as the reacquisition of Bayer’s trademark rights in the United States, the listing of Bayer AG’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange and the preparation of Bayer’s reorganization into the current holding structure.

Biography