History

Meopta - optika, s.r.o.

1933
Optikotechna Company was established in Prerov by entrepreneur Ing. Alois Benes and physics professor Dr. Alois Mazurek. Dr. Mazurek developed the first enlarging objective in Czechoslovakia.

1933 - 1935
Optikotechna began production of darkroom equipment, including enlargers and lenses.

1935 - 1938
Optikotechna began supplying the Czechoslovakian army with optical equipment. Optikotechna was sold to Zbrojovka Brno which invested in the construction of new manufacturing facilities located at Meopta’s current location in Prerov.

1939 - 1945
During German occupation, Optikotechna was forced to supply military optical equipment to the German army.

1946
After the war Optikotechna was renamed Meopta, national enterprise.

1947 - 1970
Many new products were designed and developed, as Meopta became one of the most prominent manufacturers of photo enlargers in the world and the sole manufacturer of cinema projectors in Central and Eastern Europe.

1953
The Institute for Development of Optics and Precision Mechanics was established in Prerov, raising its profile as an optical center in Central Europe.

1958
Meopta is awarded at the Brussels Expo for its cameras Mikroma and Flexaret. Motion picture projector Meopton 4 received a Grand Prix gold medal.

1967
Meopta demonstrates its modern projection techniques at the Montreal Expo and receives global acclaim.

1971
Significant increase in military production for Warsaw Pact armies.

1988
Meopta returned to riflescope production as military production decreased.

1990
Meopta's military production ceases, the company is divided into separate joint stock companies.

1992
Meopta is fully privatized and remains the largest optical producer in the Czechoslovakia. Meopta becomes an optical supplier to major companies around the world.

1992 - 2003
Meopta is restructured and its affiliation with TCI New York commences.

Optotechnika

Flexaret

Meopta U.S.A., Inc.

1960
Tyrolit Company, Inc. was founded in New York City, where it distributed grinding wheels throughout the United States and Canada.

1977
Tyrolit begins manufacturing wedges and industrial glass.

1988
Tyrolit’s production facility is moved to West Babylon, Long Island, where manufacturing capabilities now include mechanics, optics and thin film coating.

1996
Tyrolit Company, Inc. changes its name to TCI New York, Inc.

1997
The company once again expanded its manufacturing, and moved to Hauppauge, Long Island, where it produced a variety of optical products and components including spherical and flat optics, wedges for aviation instruments, windows and cover glass, prisms, beam splitters and sports optics; and garnered a reputation for the highest quality and performance.

1992 - 2003
TCI New York begins its cooperation with Meopta.