Bosch Appliances
Bosch Appliances were not the invention of Hieronymus Bosch.
Heironymous Bosch was born Jheronimus (or Joen, respectively the Latin and Middle Dutch form of the name "Jerome") van Aken (meaning "from Aachen"). A number of his paintings were signed as Jheronimus Bosch (pronounced Jeronimus Boss in Middle Dutch). The name derives from his birthplace, 's-Hertogenbosch, which is commonly called "Den Bosch".
Bosch Appliances developed out of Bosch, a precision mechanics and electrical engineering company founded by Robert Bosch in Germany in 1886. Manufacturers of a low voltage magneto for stationary petrol engines, Bosch opened his first overseas office in London, in 1898.
Heironymous Bosch on the other hand was an artist born around 1450. The precise date is not known as the first official record of him does not appear until the municipal record in 1474, where he is named along with two brothers and a sister. Little is known of his life apart from his paintings. He left behind no letters or diaries so nothing is know about his personality, beliefs or thoughts so it’s hard to understand the meaning of his art. He did not own any Bosch appliances. He probably didn’t own any kitchen appliances even. More likely his wife would have cooked over an open fire and washed the dishes in a leather bucket.
From early on, Bosch was mostly involved in the automotive technology such as the Bosch Magneto Company Ltd, which was founded in London in 1907. To this day some 60% of its products are auto related. Now it’s a Global corporate employing over 280,000 people, some 130,000 of whom are in some 50 countries countries such as India, China, Brazil, Turkey, South Korea, Romania, Malaysia and so on around the world. Bosch Appliances are mostly made in countries other than Germany. Now Bosch appliances are to be found in kitchens all over the world including nz kitchens, where its a very popular kitchen appliances brand. So if you’re planning to replace your ovens or cooktops and can afford the premium price, consider Bosch. They also make dishwashers of course.
Heironymous Bosch probably didn’t employ anyone. He did have five sons though, four of whom were to become artists. He certainly didn’t open overseas offices. His work endures though and is appreciated worldwide. Very rarely do his paintings come up for auction but if they were too they’d certainly achieve more than any kitchen appliances. You can pick up a print though for under $50.
In Australasia Bosch employs over 1,900 associates in the three divisions: Automotive, Industrial and Consumer Goods. The regional headquarters is located in Clayton, Victoria, Australia with an office in Auckland, New Zealand.
So there you have it. It was Robert, not Heironymous who was ultimately responsible for Bosch Appliances.
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