Camillo Castiglioni
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Camillo Castiglioni | |
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| Born | October 22, 1879 Trieste, Austria |
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| Died | December 18, 1961 Rome,Italy |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Other names | "CC" |
| Education | Business and Tax Law |
| Occupation | Financier; Industrialist |
| Known for | Critical contributions to BMW AG in its early years; wealthiest man in Central Europe |
Camillo Castiglioni (October 22, 1879 – December 18, 1961) was an Austrian financier and banker, and was the wealthiest man in Central Europe during WWI. He was active in aviation's pioneering days and invested in the arts.
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[edit] Early Life
Castiglioni was born in Trieste, Austria. It is not know when Camillo developed his interest in aviation, but it is known that he was passionate about flying. Camillo's education was primarily law, gaining employment as an attorney and legal officer of a bank in Padua, quickly learning international finance and how to manage capital. He was the son of a rubber maker, so naturally Camillo found work with the Austro-American Gummiwarenfabrik AG (rubber products) in Vienna as an Agent for the Kaufmann automobile tire division in Constantinople. Camillo found great success in this position, demonstrating his abilities to negotiate and structure financial deals. In fact, Camillo was so successful, he was promoted to Director of the export department of the parent company in Vienna. Around 1901, along with Viktor Silberer and Franz Hinterstoissera Camillo helped to create the Viennese aero club (later Austrian aero club). He eventually was made deputy director, then in 1904 he was appointed to General Director of the company. Through his experience in the rubber and tire production field, Camillo saw the birth of aviation as an industry, going from a ballooning hobby, to makeshift glider craft requiring tires, to fully operational aircraft operated by engines. He met many influential men in his business, and came to realize that aviation sparked not only his passion for flight, but also recognized the tremendous financial opportunity of aviation's potential as an industry.
In order to draw from the arising enthusiasm for airplanes and ballooning, as well as to take advantage of the lucrative business the hobby generated, Camillo established one of his first companies, Motoren-Luftfahrzeuggesellschaft GmbH, in 1907. Being a pure commercial firm - it acquired the Etrich balloon patents and sold balloon fliers in Austria Hungary. There were many contests that these inspired balloon drivers entered, and Camillo was no different- he bought his own balloon and successfully took his balloon driver examination on 24 August 1909.
[edit] Aviation financing
During the First World War, became one of the richest and most influential financiers in Central Europe.
The first major investor in the series production of aircraft. 1914 Purchased the German aircraft company Hansa- und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke, which employed Ernst Heinkel as its chief designer. Acquired a majority holding in Austro-Daimler with its chief designers Puch and Porsche. Press "Czar" and sponsor of the arts (financed Max Reinhardt and helped him to organize the Salzburg Festival). After a series of setbacks, his financial empire broke up in 1926. He retired to Switzerland, then to Milan where he set up a private bank and once again amassed a considerable fortune. After the Second World War, negotiated a large US loan for his friend Tito in Yugoslavia. When Tito refused to pay his commission, Castiglioni succeeded in getting Yugoslavian assets in Italy worth millions sequestered. 1916 Awarded the Franz Joseph Order with ribbon on the Military Service Cross for his services to aviation 1918 with the St-Georges Order for his achievements in the war material production.
Castiglioni became rich in ventures during the period of inflation, acquiring a majority interest in Alpine Montan AG. The Austrian aviation company Österreichische Luftfahrtsgesellschaft was founded by him.
[edit] BMW influence
Significantly influenced the development of BMW AG in its early years. The granting of a license agreement by Austro-Daimler to the Rapp-Werke in 1917 was partly attributable to Castiglioni. 1918 At Castiglioni's insistence the Wiener Bankverein (Vienna) acquired the majority of BMW's share capital. 1922 Castiglioni purchased all the equipment relating to engine construction, the associated know-how and the rights to the name "Bayerische Motoren Werke AG" from the BMW AG, which was renamed Süddeutsche Bremse AG. Castiglioni in turn renamed the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke to BMW AG and allowed the renamed company to continue production at the BFW plant. >From the establishment of BMW AG until November 9, 1922 and then from 1924 to 1929, he was a member of the Supervisory Board and President of BMW AG. 1928 Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
His was one of the voices that urged BMW in 1928 to purchase the Eisenach Automobilwerke. Due to financial difficulties in 1929 he was obliged to surrender his holding of BMW shares to a consortium of banks (Deutsche Bank, Disconto, Banhkaus Hagen etc.).
A consortium led by the Deutsche Bank and the Diskonto-Gesellschaft purchased the BMW shares previously held by Camillo Castiglioni, who was facing problems of liquidity.
[edit] Post war
Camillo Castiglioni, "Austrian Stinnes," went bankrupt. A few years ago he was a comparatively poor man, but through the depreciation of the crown he amassed a fortune reckoned in tens of millions of dollars. The Castiglioni crash was not unexpected, either by the public or by Castiglioni who, as his name indicates, is an Italian, and who, when the crash came, had taken care to be in Italy, where (so it was rumored) he had kept himself popular by supporting the Fascisti.
The precise nature of the causes of the crash were obscure. A warrant for his arrest on a charge of fraud was, however, issued; but the bird had flown, allegedly with securities of high value. The Austrian State said that if he deposited $4,200,000, he could return unmolested.[1]
[edit] Philanthropy
Castiglioni built up a large art collection and a theatre in Vienna. He was the richest man in Central Europe and much beloved by the Viennese whom he assisted financially on Sundays and odd occasions. He was also a patron of the arts and for some time supported the famed producer Max Reinhardt, for whom he built a theater. So fond was he of appearing in the public limelight that he lived with all the pomp and ceremony of royalty, even traveling in the Kaiser Karl's private parlor car, which he bought.
Because of his famous banking activities, his life was documented in a 1988 movie on television titled "Camillo Castiglioni oder die Moral der Haifische", directed by Peter Patzak.
[edit] References
- ^ Time Magazine, Monday, Oct. 06, 1924
