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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
origin of the company, and the extent of its operations.* It is illustrated by maps ancl sections, and is altogether a most commendable contribution to the history of the industry in Vienna, and worthy of imitation by all wealthy corporations when, as in duty bound, they participate in great international exhibitions.
The great Vienna brick and tile company, as now organized, is based upon the union of several extensive establishments, dating back to the time of Maria Theresa, and before it, and conducted in succession by Miesbach and by Drasche. In 1851 the works of the Wiener-berg occupied an area of 264| English acres, while an area of 680 English acres supplied the clay. There were 24,930 feet in length of drying sheds for the manufacture of ordinary bricks, and 8,304 feet of moulding sheds for tiles, facing and ornamental bricks, with 43 kilns, calculated to burn 45,000 to 110,000 bricks per kiln, or 3,500,000 at one time. Six establishments at that time had a united production of 91,900,000 bricks annually ; the Wiener-berg alone producing 65,500,000. There were 649 moulding benches, and 4,140 persons employed.
The present organization was effected in March, 1869, under a nominal capital of 7,000,000 florins (equal to 3,500,000 dollars), in 35,000 shares, at 200 florins each. Between 6,000 and 7,000 workmen are employed, besides 58 officers, 36 machinists and foremen. There are eight large establishments, where the bricks and tiles are made, viz. :—
1. Inzersdorf Wienerberger, the largest of all, in six sections ; 2. Hernals; 3. Laaerberge ; 4. Laaerwald; 5. Leo- poldsdorf; 6. Biedermansdorf; 7. Guntrainsdorf; 8. Vosen- dorf,—all in the vicinity of Vienna. The total area devoted to the manufacture is 882 joch, 65 square klafters, equivalent to about 1,254 acres. The annual production of the works is enormous. In the four years from the organization of the company to the end of 1872 the production and sale were as follows:—
* Die Wienerberger, Ziegelfabriks nnd Bau-Gesellschaft zur zeit der Wiener Weltausstellung, 1873. Wien, 1873. Selbstverlag der gesellschaft, Centralbureau: Wien I; Elisabethstrasse 6. 8vo., p. 92, with maps and graphic chart.