Heinrich Stoll: The Co-Founder Who Walked Away from NSU

Heinrich Stoll co-founded the workshop in 1873 that would evolve into NSU. While his partner Christian Schmidt steered toward vehicles, Stoll left early to pursue his own path. He built a global knitting machine empire, proving successful in a different industry while his former company laid the groundwork for Audi.

The Partnership in Riedlingen

Every industrial giant has a humble beginning. For NSU (and by extension, Audi), that beginning was the "Mechanische Werkstätte Schmidt & Stoll," founded in 1873. Heinrich Stoll and Christian Schmidt set up shop in an old mill in Riedlingen to produce knitting machines. The duo combined technical brilliance with ambition, quickly gaining a reputation for precision mechanics.

The Great Split

In 1876, the partners reached a crossroads. Schmidt wanted to expand and eventually move the factory to Neckarsulm (which gave NSU its name). Stoll, however, decided to separate. While it might seem like he missed out on the automotive revolution, Stoll was playing a different game. He founded his own company, H. Stoll & Co., in Reutlingen. He didn't fail; he flourished. He became a global pioneer in flat knitting machines.

A Tale of Two Empires

History rarely sees a split where both sides win so significantly. While his former partner's company evolved into NSU Motorenwerke—building motorcycles and the first Wankel cars—Heinrich Stoll's company became the "Mercedes-Benz of knitting machines." Today, both legacies survive: NSU lives on within Audi, and Stoll remain a market leader in industrial textiles, proving that sometimes splitting up is the best way to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Heinrich Stoll and what was his role in the founding of NSU?

<p><strong>Heinrich Stoll</strong> (1847–1914) was a skilled mechanic and industrialist who co-founded the "Mechanische Werkstätte zur Herstellung von Strickmaschinen" in 1873 alongside Christian Schmidt. This workshop in Riedlingen was the direct precursor to <strong>NSU</strong>. Stoll provided the essential <strong>technical mechanical expertise</strong> needed to manufacture complex knitting machines, a level of precision engineering that would eventually transition into the production of bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles highly regarded in the <strong>USA</strong>.</p>

How did Heinrich Stoll’s mechanical background influence NSU’s engineering standards?

<p>As a master of fine mechanics, Heinrich Stoll insisted on extreme durability and tight tolerances. His focus on <strong>interchangeable parts</strong> and metal hardening processes ensured that the factory’s output met the highest standards of the time. This "perfectionist" culture survived his tenure and became a hallmark of NSU’s later technical breakthroughs, such as high-revving overhead cam (OHC) engines and the development of the <strong>Wankel rotary motor</strong>.</p>

What was the reason for the partnership between Heinrich Stoll and Christian Schmidt?

<p>The partnership was a strategic union of <strong>commercial vision</strong> and <strong>technical mastery</strong>. While Schmidt handled much of the business strategy, Stoll was the engine behind the production floor. Together, they navigated the relocation of the company to <strong>Neckarsulm</strong> in 1880 to harness water power from the Neckar and Sulm rivers. This move provided the industrial capacity that would later allow NSU to become the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by the mid-1950s.</p>

Did Heinrich Stoll leave NSU before it started making cars?

<p>Yes, Heinrich Stoll left the partnership in 1884 to establish his own independent company, <strong>H. Stoll & Co.</strong>, which specialized in flat knitting machines. However, the manufacturing infrastructure and the <strong>engineering lineage</strong> he established at the original Neckarsulm plant remained. This foundation enabled his successors to pivot toward "Personal Mobility" products like the <em>Germania</em> bicycle in 1886 and the first NSU motorcycle in 1901.</p>

How does Heinrich Stoll’s legacy connect to modern-day Audi?

<p>Heinrich Stoll is considered a founding forefather of the modern <strong>Audi AG</strong>. The company he co-founded (NSU) eventually merged with Auto Union in 1969. In 2026, the Neckarsulm site that Stoll helped establish is one of Audi’s primary high-tech manufacturing hubs, producing flagship models like the <strong>Audi A8</strong> and <strong>R8</strong> for global markets, including North America.</p>

What long-tail keywords are associated with Heinrich Stoll in automotive history?

<p>Researchers focused on industrial heritage often use search terms like <em>"Heinrich Stoll NSU founding history," "origins of precision engineering in Neckarsulm," "Heinrich Stoll vs Christian Schmidt partnership,"</em> and <em>"history of the first NSU knitting machines."</em> These keywords help enthusiasts in the <strong>United States</strong> understand the deep-rooted mechanical history of German premium brands.</p>

What was Heinrich Stoll’s contribution to material science in early manufacturing?

<p>Stoll was a pioneer in using <strong>high-grade steel alloys</strong> for moving parts that were subject to high friction. By refining <strong>heat treatment techniques</strong>, he significantly extended the lifespan of mechanical components. This expertise was vital when NSU moved into the automotive sector, as it allowed them to build engines that could withstand higher RPMs compared to contemporary American and European rivals.</p>

Why is Heinrich Stoll a key figure for collectors of vintage NSU motorcycles?

<p>While Stoll did not personally design motorcycles, he established the <strong>industrial quality control</strong> systems that made NSU motorcycles world-class. Collectors in the <strong>USA</strong> value early 20<sup>th</sup>-century NSU bikes because of the mechanical reliability that can be traced back to Stoll’s original workshop standards. His influence is felt in the "over-engineered" nature of pre-war German two-wheelers.</p>

How is Heinrich Stoll commemorated in the 2026 automotive industry?

<p>In 2026, Heinrich Stoll is honored in the <strong>Deutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum</strong> in Neckarsulm. His life is studied as a primary example of the 19<sup>th</sup>-century <strong>industrial revolution</strong> in Germany. For the American market, his story serves as a reminder that today’s advanced <strong>Audi e-tron</strong> technology is built upon over 150 years of continuous mechanical innovation started by pioneers like Stoll.</p>

What happened to the company Heinrich Stoll founded after leaving NSU?

<p>The company <strong>Stoll</strong> became a global leader in flat knitting technology and remains active today. This branch of the family legacy continues to innovate in <strong>technical textiles</strong>, some of which are used in the upholstery and composite materials of modern high-performance European cars, effectively bringing Stoll’s name back into the automotive supply chain in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</p>