Below you will find the history of the German company Frowo, a manufacturer renowned for producing countless hurricane lanterns and other types of lamps. Full credit for this information goes to Hans-Werner Jehn, who has created an extensive website dedicated to Frowo. Be sure to visit his site for even more detailed insights:

Frowo’s story began in 1878, when Hermann Fröhlich founded a small family business in Beierfeld, Germany. Originally a plumbing workshop, the company produced a wide range of metal goods. Over the years, the business grew steadily, and by 1906, Frowo started manufacturing hurricane lanterns—a product that would define its legacy.

In 1912, leadership passed to Hermann’s son Rudolf Fröhlich and his son-in-law Erich Wolter, marking a new era for the company. Around this time, the business adopted the name Fröhlich & Wolter.

World War I and Military Production

During World War I, both Rudolf and Erich served in the German army, leaving Hermann to resume control of the company. Production shifted to meet military needs, focusing on goods required by the armed forces.

During the interwar years, Frowo faced fierce competition from Feuerhand, another lantern manufacturer based in Beierfeld. Feuerhand was much larger, with sales nearly ten times higher than Frowo’s. Patent disputes over hurricane lantern designs were common. Despite this rivalry, Frowo thrived—by 1937, the company produced 1.45 million hurricane lanterns annually and employed 269 workers.

Like many German manufacturers, Frowo switched to producing war supplies during World War II, and lantern production eventually halted due to material shortages.

After the war, Frowo had a major advantage: its facilities were intact, machines operational, and staff available. While competitors like Feuerhand struggled to restart production, Frowo resumed manufacturing using leftover stock and scrap materials. However, the socialist planned economy soon posed challenges. Accusations of embezzlement led to prison sentences for Rudolf Fröhlich and Erich Wolter, and the company faced constant battles over resources and state interference.

In 1972, Frowo was nationalized and renamed VEB Metallwarenfabrik Beierfeld, shifting focus to automotive parts. On March 31, 1994, Frowo officially disappeared from the market, ending more than a century of history.