Tanulmányok Budapest múltjából 33. 2006- 2007 (2007)

Tanulmányok - Bencze Géza: A Láng Gépgyár története az alapítástól az állami tulajdonba vételig (1868-1948)

Bencze, Géza THE HISTORY OF THE LÁNG MACHINE FACTORY FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT TO ITS SOCIALIZING (1868-1948) The most prestigious machine factory in Váci Street, Budapest was established by László Láng. The essay gives an outline of the history of the factory, which played a truly significant role in spreading the culture of mechanization in Hungary. In the first Láng machine workshop smaller pumps and steam engines were produced. László Láng was given a special award at the 1885 National Industrial Fair, for his achievement in enhancing Hungarian industry. In the 1896 Millennial Fair he obtained a Millennial Gold Medal for the outstanding performance of his factory. The turn of the century brought about significant changes and the 1900 Paris World Fair proved to be the herald of these changes. The top product of the steam engine developing of the Láng machine factory was the 1300-horse-power condensation steam engine, which was awarded the Grand Prix. The producing of turbines started in the 1900s at the factory. The reliability of the Lángfactory turbines was proved by the fact that most of the steam turbines implemented in the electric plants in Budapest and in the country were produced in the factory. After the stagnancy caused by the war and the world economic crisis the firm contracted with the world-famous Swiss Brown-Boveri & Cie company, which led to the boom of turbine production once again. During World War II the Láng was used as a defense plant, from 1942 in two, 10-hour shifts. In 14 December 1944 the factory was bombed, the iron drum workshop burned out, most of the tools and products were badly damaged, as well as the offices and workshop-buildings. The armistice signed at the end of the war obligated Hungary to pay redemption, which had an impact on the Láng-factory also. In 1948, based on the Act XXV. all those factories were declared state property, where the number of employees exceeded 100. In 25 March, 1948 the minister of industry appointed the new leader of the Láng Firm. As the last act of nationalising, the Láng incorporated company was erased from the register of companies on 23 May, 1949.