Heimo

Heimo (now Heimotion) is a German company that designs and builds animatronics, special-effects sets, automated shows and interactive scenic walkthroughs for amusement parks and themed attractions. Its origins go back to 1944–1945, when Anneliese Mordelt made dolls from horsehair to trade for ration coupons to feed her children during the Second World War; her husband Heinz Mordelt, returning from the war in 1945, handled the commercial side, and the business was born. From 1951 the company began adding mechanical elements to animate the dolls. It prospered, reaching 20 employees by 1958 and settling in Jagsthausen. Its animatronics technology advanced to include electronics, more varied and complex movements, and a growing catalogue of figures such as historical characters and prehistoric animals. By 1979 it employed 50 people. The company was later led by Karl-Heinz and Olaf Mordelt. In October 2010 it was forced to enter insolvency proceedings; in 2011 it was taken over by Michael Friedrich, his family and several European financial backers, and renamed Heimotion. Its work includes scenic walkthroughs and museum installations, such as the 'Secrets of Chocolate' museum in Geispolsheim, Alsace. The original heimo.com domain is now listed for sale, while the company continues under the Heimotion name.

Heimo's history began in 1944, when Anneliese Mordelt, during the Second World War, made dolls from horsehair that she exchanged for ration coupons to feed her children. In 1945, her husband Heinz Mordelt returned from the war and supported her creations by taking charge of the commercial side of the business. Heimo was thus born. From 1951, mechanical elements were added to the dolls to animate them. The company prospered and by 1958 already had 20 employees. They settled in Jagsthausen. Their animatronics technology developed further: electronics were integrated, movements became more varied and complex, and their catalogue expanded to include historical characters, prehistoric animals and more. In 1979 the company employed 50 people. The company was later led by Karl-Heinz and Olaf Mordelt. In October 2010, the company was forced to start insolvency proceedings. In 2011, the company was taken over by Michael Friedrich, his family and several European financial backers. It was then renamed Heimotion. Under the Heimotion name, the company continues to produce animatronics, special-effects sets, automated shows and interactive scenic walkthroughs for amusement parks and museums, including the 'Secrets of Chocolate' museum in Geispolsheim, Alsace.

• 2011

  The company is taken over by Michael Friedrich, his family and European financial backers, and renamed Heimotion.

• 2010

  In October, the company is forced to start insolvency proceedings.

• 1979

  The company employs 50 people.

• 1958

  The company has 20 employees and settles in Jagsthausen.

• 1951

  Mechanical elements are added to the dolls to animate them.

• 1945

  Heinz Mordelt returns from the war and takes charge of the commercial side; Heimo is born.

• 1944

  Anneliese Mordelt begins making dolls from horsehair to trade for ration coupons.

Specialist supplier of animatronics and themed entertainment technology for amusement parks and museums.

• Animatronics

  Mechanical and electronic figures for amusement parks and attractions.

• Special-effects sets

  Scenic sets with special effects.

• Automated shows

  Automated show systems for parks.

• Interactive scenic walkthroughs

  Interactive walkthrough attractions.

• Museum installations

  Installations for museums, such as the 'Secrets of Chocolate' museum in Geispolsheim, Alsace.

1. 1Heimo.com for saleheimo.com
2. 2Heimotion - Wikipediafr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Heimo - Wikidatawikidata.org