Our Journey – History from 1945
Our Path to the Future
Even a partial list of significant inventions and innovations achieved by KARL STORZ in the past seven decades reveals an extensive and impressive chronology of success – a success story that demands to be carried into the future.
Medicine will have to face many new challenges not only in combating disease but also in terms of increasingly cost-intensive therapies. It is now more important than ever to find the right Solutions and convert these into products that meet medical interests without compromising their financial viability. KARL STORZ has proved more than once that it is in a position to meet these challenges. Medical practitioners from around the world can continue to place their trust in innovative solutions from Tuttlingen.
1945
Karl Storz establishes his company in Tuttlingen at the age of 34. The product range initially includes instruments, headlights and binocular loupes for otorhinolaryngology.
1952
Instrument set for bronchoscopy is modernized and accessories, e.g., for optical biopsies, are added. This marks the beginning of endoscopy at KARL STORZ; the first endoscopes with a traditional lens system were developed and produced by Karl Storz in the early 1950s.
1955
CLAR55 forehead lamp with 55 mm concave reflector and tungsten bulb – presented for the first time in 1955 at the ENT Congress in Constance and still the best selling model among “warm light” forehead lamps to this day.
1956
The first extracorporeal electron flash device allows endoscopic photography in unprecedented quality.
1960
The development of the cold light source marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the company and endoscopy.
1962
First flexible gastroscope "Universal" with cold-light mirror Illumination
1962
Laparoscopy starts to be used in internal medicine.
1962
A further milestone is the introduction of the HOPKINS® rod lens system.
1969
Lithotripter for shattering bladder stones.
1969
KARL STORZ presents the first resectoscopes for the transurethral treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and bladder tumors.
1970
Ultrasonic lithotripter according to LUTZEYER for breaking up stones in urology.
1971
KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., Los Angeles, is established.
1971
Foundation of a manufacturing company in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
1973
The CLAR73 headlamp is introduced at the World Congress of Otorhinolaryngology in Venice, Italy.
1973
Already offering a comprehensive product range, KARL STORZ contributes to the development of diagnostic and operative gynecological endoscopy
1974
Laryngopharyngoscope according to BERCI-WARD.
1974
Beginnings of diagnostic arthroscopy
1975
Articulated telescope for image transmission from the endoscope optics to a photo, video, or TV camera as well as for the simultaneous viewing of endoscopic procedures by two people
1976
Stone punch according to MAUERMAYER for lithotripsy under visual control
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1976
KARL STORZ develops its own small and easy-to-handle endocamera with associated electronic flash.
1977
Beginnings of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (MESSERKLINGER)
1977
First high-frequency surgery unit with automatic control of coagulation and cutting current
1980
The Department of Medicine of the University of Geneva awards Karl Storz the Prix mondial Nessim Habif de chirurgie for his work and his development of diagnostic endoscopes.
1980
First stroboscopy unit "STORZ 8000" for visualizing vocal fold vibration
1980
HAMOU® Micro Contact Hysteroscope I: Thanks to its small diameter of only 5 mm, outpatient contact hysteroscopy can for the first time be performed at magnifications up to 150x.
1980
First endoscopic ureterorenoscopy (PÉREZ-CASTRO ELLENDT).
1981
Beginnings of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for endoscopic kidney stone removal using a new procedure (ALKEN).
1982
KARL STORZ fiberscopes for flexible bronchoscopy.
1983
First KARL STORZ tube camera
1983
The KARL STORZ portfolio is expanded by the first electrical shaver for arthroscopy.
1984
With up to 80x magnification, the Contact Hysteroscope II acc. to HAMOU® allows direct microscopic examination of tissue during hysteroscopy.
1985
Karl Storz is granted a honorary doctorate degree by the medical faculty of Marburg University.
1986
Electrohydraulic lithotripsy system for treating ureteral, kidney, and bladder stones.
1987
Advance of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, later abbreviated as FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery).
1987
The first laparoscopic removal of a gall bladder marks the beginning of minimally invasive surgery.
1988
Entry into the spinal endoscopy market with the set acc. to VOGL for endoscopically controlled nucleotomy.
1988
Uretero-fiberscope for minimally invasive use in the ureter.
1988
First KARL STORZ 1-chip video camera model, Endovision 534
1989
KARL STORZ Endovision (Charlton, Massachusetts) is founded.
1990
KARL STORZ Imaging is founded in Goleta, California.
1990
Our first sales subsidiary in Asia is established in Singapore.
1991
The first analog 3-chip video camera achieves previously unmatched brilliance of the endoscopic images.
1992
Launch of the first dismantling KARL STORZ TAKE-APART® hand-held instruments for laparoscopy.
1992
The newly launched KARL STORZ TELECAM features a parfocal zoom that allows selection of image detail without losing sharpness.
1993
The STEINER electromechanical morcellator revolutionizes the laparoscopic removal of benign tissue.
1994
First endoscopy-assisted middle ear surgery with KARL STORZ instruments (THOMASSIN).
1995
The company founder Karl Storz is awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
1995
In recognition of his lifetime achievements, Karl Storz receives the "Pioneer in Endoscopy Award" from the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
1995
Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and autofluorescence (AF) fundamentally improve early tumor diagnostics using optical fluorescence and marker substances in the urinary bladder and bronchi.
1996
Dr. med. h. c. Karl Storz dies at the age of 85. Company management is seamlessly transferred to his daughter, Sybill Storz.
1997
Introduction of the needle arthroscope for the diagnostics of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
1998
First curved instruments for minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedures according to CUSCHIERI
1998
Launch of the Video Mediastinoscope according to LERUT with DCI camera system (DCI = Direct Coupled Interface).
1998
Launch of the CLICKLINE forceps generation as an advancement of the 10 mm and 5 mm TAKE-APART® hand-held instruments for laparoscopic procedures.
1998
With the GAAB ventriculoscope, KARL STORZ revolutionizes ventriculoscopy even before the new millennium.
1998
Market launch of the spinoscope with movable distal tip for endoscopic laser foraminoplasty.
1998
At the MEDICA trade fair, KARL STORZ introduces the KARL STORZ OR1™ including SCB (STORZ Communication Bus).
1999
A logistics and training center is opened in Tuttlingen.
1999
CLICKLINE instruments are now also available in the diameters 3.5 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm, making them suitable for use in pediatric laparoscopic surgery.
1999
Swing prism for industrial endoscopy: A large field of observation can now be achieved with rigid borescopes thanks to a variable direction of view.