Zeppelin Foundation

Cockpit

First Zeppelin airship, LZ 1, launched on 2 July 1900

1908:
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH was established with funding from the Zeppelin Foundation, established in the same year.
1909:
Licensed as an independent foundation.
1915:
Establishment of Zahnradfabrik GmbH in Friedrichshafen by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and Max Maag Zahnräderfabrik Zürich.
1947:
Closure of the Zeppelin Foundation and transfer to the City of Friedrichshafen. Since this time, it has been administered as a public foundation, funded and operated by the city authorities.
1950:
89.8% of ZF shares owned by the Zeppelin Foundation. According to the foundation charter, the dividends are used exclusively for “charitable and non-profit programs.
2003:
The Dr.-Jürgen-Ulderup Foundation holds a 6.2% stake in the ZF Group, with the Zeppelin Foundation owning the remaining 93.8% of shares.