Hermann Huber
Germany
| Born: | 1930 |
| Team: | Legend |
Hermann Huber was the man who brought SALEWA to the mountains. His life sounds like an American rags-to-riches tale, except that this story began in Munich after the Second World War. Upon leaving school, Hermann Huber started an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk with “Sattler- und Lederwaren” (SALEWA). In 1956, he was promoted to Sales Manager and four years later received commercial power of attorney. In 1972, he became Managing Director. In the 16 years that followed, SALEWA went on to become one of the leading mountain sports’ companies under his leadership. With his likeable, easy manner and his enterprising spirit, he was well known throughout Europe and around the world. He lived mountaineering and personally tested his products on the great routes of the world. In 1955, Hermann Huber led the Peru expedition into the Cordillera Blanca. Numerous innovations found their way from Hermann Huber’s sketch pad onto the rock face. He developed the “Andes” rucksack especially for the Peru expedition. This would be the prototype for all rucksacks that can be individually adjusted to the shape of the back. The first completely adjustable, lightweight crampons in 1961 and the SALEWA ice screw in 1964 were success stories worldwide. The lightest two-man, dome-shaped tent and the first hollow carabiner – the lightest carabiner in the world – cemented SALEWA’s predominance in the alpine sector. Hermann Huber has left us an impressive legacy. His work, imagination, inventive spirit and attachment to nature have all left their mark on mountaineering. And on SALEWA.