Celebration of the 90th anniversary of his death: Lyon Sussmann and the legacy of Hautana

Celebration of the 90th anniversary of his death: Lyon Sussmann and the legacy of Hautana

Böblingen marks the anniversary of the death of an influential entrepreneur and pioneer in the underwear industry. On June 25, 2025 at 7 p.m. there will be a lecture on the 90th anniversary of Lyon Sussmann's death in the large meeting room of the New Town Hall. The speaker, Günter Scholz, sheds light on the life and achievements of the founder of the Hautana brand, which was the largest employer in Böblingen in the 1930s. Loud KRZBB First Mayor Tobias Heizmann will also give a welcome address at the event.

Lyon Sussmann was born on October 31, 1843 in Tauberbischofsheim and grew up in an important Jewish community in Baden. His family was rooted not only in the community, but also in business, as his father, Moses Sussmann, ran a grocery store. In his youth, Sussmann attended a high school for one and a half years before becoming a partner in the successful wholesale haberdashery and hosiery store Sussmann und Adler in Stuttgart in 1869. In 1878 he joined the Ludwig Maier mechanical jersey weaving mill, which moved to Böblingen in 1884 Report the Böblingen journey through time.

Hautana success story

Around 1912, the Hautana bra was developed, a product that ushered in the brand's international success. This contemporary garment offered women a welcome alternative to the increasingly less popular corsets and quickly became the market leader. Sussmann's innovative spirit and pioneering spirit led to the workforce growing to around 500 people by 1925, with the proportion of women in the jersey factory being up to 85 percent. The company not only produced brassieres, but also high-quality underwear and later swimwear. Their importance for Böblingen's industrial history should not be underestimated Böblingen time travel.

The Hautana factories have disappeared from the cityscape since 1981, but the name remains present through the Hautana Passage and the Hautana parking garage. Lyon Sussmann was awarded honorary citizenship of the city of Böblingen in 1913, recognizing his services to the city while actively promoting healthy workplaces and social institutions. But success also had its downsides: After his death on February 8, 1935, at which time there was no official representation of the city, his life's work was confiscated and “Aryanized” during National Socialism.

The role of Jewish women

When considering Lyon Sussmann's life, the fate of Jewish women in the 19th and 20th centuries is also an important topic. They suffered double discrimination and fought for social participation. Historically, Jewish women often had fewer opportunities than Jewish men, and many of them were active in trades. These women had a crucial role in the business, especially when men were absent. Your perspective is a central part of the story emphasizes the Federal Agency for Civic Education.

The lecture on June 25, 2025 will not only address Lyon Sussmann's impressive life story, but also the roots and legacy of the Jewish community and especially the women who fought for their right to emancipation and participation. It is an invitation to engage with the history of the city and its people - an occasion that should be given to yourself!