German industrialist. Raised in Weimar, Germany, he gained worldwide attention as a notable lens maker and manufacturer of fine optical instruments. His lenses were high-quality and had a very large opening that allowed for very bright images. In 1846, Zeiss opened a workshop in Jena that at first only made lenses for microscopes, but later his company manufactured lenses for cameras, binoculars, and eye glasses. In 1847, he started making microscopes full-time. Realizing that improvements in optical instruments depended on advances in optical theory, he acquired the services of Ernst Abbe (a physics and mathematics lecturer) and Otto Schott (a chemist).  Together, they built a base for modern optics and manufacturing. (bio by: Red Queen)  Family links:  Spouses:  Berta Schatter Zeiss (1827 – 1850)*  Ottilie Trinkler Zeiss (1819 – 1897)* *Calculated relationship