In 1906, the 3 Merten brothers founded the family company Merten Brothers in Gummersbach, Germany. It initially produced electric fittings, mainly made of buffalo horn and an asphalt-like material, which was filled hot into cold molds and cured under pressure.

With the invention of the first true plastic, Bakelite, the technology changed fundamentally. Now high quality complex parts could be produced in any shape and with high efficiencies. The new material was the basis for numerous start-ups. The family was thus linked to “Bakelite”.

The Merten Company brothers who now worked in the photo industry named, these products MERIT. MER of Merten and IT from Bakelite. They produced MERIT-acid funnels, MERIT developers bowls, boxes and even a MERIT-camera.

Everything made of Bakelite.