An In-Depth Journey Through Iconic Brands
The captivating tales of Czech brands showcased on Kudy z nudy cover a wide array of human achievements. Join us on this journey as we delve into the origins of various products and industries, such as glass, car production, chocolate, biscuits, beer, and more. These brands are famous around the globe, and we can take genuine pride in them!
Czech glass: luxurious, amazing, and beautiful
Some traditional brands have histories that date back several centuries. Czech glass, a craft that has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2023, is exemplified by the Novosad glassworks located in Harrachov. The earliest mentions of this glassworks go back to 1712, making it one of the oldest glassmaking establishments in both Bohemia and the world.
The tradition of glassmaking in Nový Bor is extensive, just like the Květná Glassworks in the White Carpathians, which is among the oldest continuously operating glass factories in our nation. The Kavalierglass brand from Sázava and the Rückl glassworks in Nižbor originated in the first half of the 19th century, while the Moser brand from Karlovy Vary and the Crystal Bohemia glassworks in Poděbrady followed a few decades later.
Other old brands
One of the oldest Czech porcelain manufacturers makes it easy for you: the Thun 1794 brand literally has its founding year in its name. Similarly, the Botas company in Skuteč has upheld traditional shoemaking techniques, and the well-known Becherovka herbal liqueur has been crafted in Karlovy Vary since 1807. The popular ‘rybička’ knife has also been produced in Mikulášovice for more than a century. Among the highly regarded Czech products is bentwood furniture from Ton, which first gained global acclaim at an industrial exhibition in 1841.
The world-famous lager production has a rich background: the first batch of the legendary Pilsner Urquell beer was brewed on October 5, 1842, by brewer Josef Groll at the Pilsen brewery. The mid-19th century also marked the beginnings of Petrof pianos, Mattoni mineral water (established in 1873), and the beloved Fidorka wafers, all linked to Opava. Companies like Zentiva, the Brano brand, and the textile heritage of Silesian Manchester— including the Hedva and Tonak brands, and the Nový Jičín Hat Factory—are all deeply rooted in history.
Brands bearing the hallmark of the monarchy
The Baťa family of shoemakers from Zlín began their venture and started building the Baťa brand back in the 19th century. Over the years, they transformed a small, unnoticed shoe factory into a globally influential company. The best place to discover their story is Zlín, where the Baťas turned an ordinary provincial town into a forward-thinking metropolis with many unprecedented features. Both the current Tatra company in Kopřivnice and Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, which is our top traditional brand, have experienced similar growth.
Business partners Laurin and Klement started making bicycles and motorcycles together in 1895, and within a decade they built their first two Voiturette cars. Today, Škoda is considered one of the brands that forms part of our national heritage.
In the same year that Laurin and Klement started their venture, Johann Schowanek began making beads, buttons, and wooden pearls in the Jizera Mountains; he opened a factory in Jiřetín in 1908 before later relocating to Albrechtice. Today, you can visit the factory where wooden toys are produced under the Detoa brand. Many other brands, such as Rudolf Jelínek, Kofola, Orion chocolate, Lentilky, and Hašlerky, as well as the Moravian Tapestry Manufactory in Valašské Meziříčí, founded in 1898 by the painter Rudolf Schlatauer, trace their origins back to the Austro-Hungarian period. The Budvar beer brand was also established in the 19th century, with the first batch brewed by master brewer Antonín Holeček in October 1895.
Brands of the First Republic
You shouldn’t view the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918 only as a remarkable moment in our history! It also provides a unique view of the vibrant mix of companies and brands that began to emerge rapidly in the young republic.
Just before World War I, for instance, pharmacist Josef Veselý began creating Alpa brand Francovka, although production truly took off only in 1918. Following World War II, Alpa—a solution with a secret recipe akin to the famous herbal liqueur Becherovka—was relocated to Velké Meziříčí. Today, in addition to Francovka, the factory also produces massage gels, toners, sun creams, lip balms, colognes, and a wide range of other cosmetic items.
The story of the Jawa brand and its founder, industrial designer František Janeček, began with the production of grenades and small arms in 1922. The First Republic also gave rise to our best-known and largest optical business, Meopta, headquartered in Přerov; starting in 1933, it produced enlargers, lenses, and accessories for both professionals and enthusiasts alike. The name Josef Sodomka is tied to the heritage of Czech automobile design, while the Aero Vodochody brand is just six months younger than Czechoslovakia itself, having built the first aircraft for the newly established Czechoslovak army in 1919.
Additionally, you might recognize the travel agency Čedok, the Merkur building kits introduced in 1920, or Tesla, one of the first electrical engineering companies in what was then Czechoslovakia, which was founded under the name Elektra in early 1921. A year later, in the Slovácko region, a canning workshop began producing jams, preserves, juices, and spirits, which would later evolve into the modern-day Hamé brand. In the 1930s, the foundation for what is now Polabské mlékárny was laid.
Brands from the war and post-war periods
ETA, a well-known Czech brand specializing in electrical appliances, was founded in 1943 in Hlinsko. Initially, the company focused on producing telephone switchboards for the Reich Army. After the war, it shifted its attention to household gadgets, starting with the popular iron with a stand; astonishingly, 200,000 units were produced in just 1945. That year also marked the beginning of Zetor tractor production, and the Bohemia Sekt brand has its origins at the close of World War II. Interestingly, the first bottles of red sparkling wine were opened by American soldiers in 1945, who bought up the entire initial batch to toast the liberation of Plzeň. It’s estimated that 37,000 bottles were consumed during the celebrations. This sparkling wine later became known as Black Widow, named after the American bombers operating over the Pilsen area.
The history of Prim watches in Šternberk didn’t truly start until after the Second World War. Although production has shifted, the reputation of Šternberk as the ‘town of clocks’ was revived thanks to the Time Exhibition.
In 1948, when numerous glassworks and companies from the Jablonec, Liberec, and Turnov regions merged, the Preciosa brand was formed. Its name comes from the feminine form of the Latin word preciosus , meaning precious, exceptional, or noble. The post-war era also saw the emergence of brands like Gumotex, gramophone records from Loděnice, Dermacol cosmetics, and Pribináčky (also known as Pramen zdraví). The first Igráček toy was introduced in 1976.
Brands at the turn of the second and third millennia
We began with glass history, and we conclude with it: Pačinek Glass and Lasvit are both part of the long tradition of glassmaking in northern Bohemia, even though they were established relatively recently in 2007. In the past few decades, new manufacturers of board games and 3D printers have sprung up, along with cosmetics brands like Ryor and Manufaktura, plus a variety of intriguing publishing houses. Newer manufacturers of toys for kids, bicycles, footwear, skis, sports gear, musical instruments, and outdoor clothing are continuing these age-old traditions. You have likely enjoyed snacks from the Marlenka or Emco brands, perhaps collected Tourist Stamps, driven cars from the Gordon Roadster or Kaipan brands, or are familiar with luxurious candle brands or Linet beds. In summary, explore with Kudy z nudy the fascinating narratives behind Czech brands!
