Last week Fritz Sennheiser, AV industry pioneer and founder of Sennheiser, passed away at the age of 98. Sennheiser, an electrical engineer, began the company in Germany in 1945 (back then it was known as Laboratorium Wennebostel, or Laboratory W). They originally started building valve voltmeters, and graduated to audio industry firsts, including the first shotgun microphone and open headphones, along with innovations in wireless radio and IR transmissions. In 1958, the company was renamed Sennheiser. Fritz retired and handed management of the company over to his son Jorg in 1982, but continued to attend shareholder meetings and take a vivid interest in the company.

Today Sennheiser employees more than 2100 employees, and had total sales of more than EUR 385 million in 2008.

In the company press release about his passing, it says, “His enthusiasm for audio technology, his creative curiosity, coupled with a modesty that is all too rare these days, his self-discipline, sincerity and generosity in his dealings with people, will remain an example to follow for all those who knew him.”