 |
1907 Johann Klepper, a tailor in Rosenheim, Germany is to folding kayak manufacturing as Henry Ford is to the automotive industry. Both pioneered mass production of high quality, useable products. And both introduced the concept of mass marketing
|
| 1907 Johann Klepper testing his first model prototype on the River Mangfall in Rosenheim, Germany. Klepper's production-model folding kayak was the right product at the right time. Germany and the rest of Continent were embarking on the "Wanderlust Years" enjoying the thrill of adventure and discovering the beauty of nature. |  |
|
|
||
|
| 1920 Rosenheim, Germany. Ad shot promoting kayaking. Photo depicts nature lovers heading to Rosenheim train station. Please note kayaking dress code of the times. Klepper used photos like this one to mass market his kayaks in Germany. |  |
 |
1931 The Master of all Waters. With an ingenious Klepperboat even you can be as at home on the water as on land. Weekends and vacations will become memorable, affordable recreations. The absolutely safe and strong Klepperboats are no comparison to the smaller boats made of cheaper material. The Klepperboat that could be taken along in backpack anywhere and assembled in 10 minutes has in just a few years become the Continent's best selling touring kayak. Hundreds of Army and Marine units use these indestructible safe Klepperboats. Free of charge, you may obtain our interesting catalog No.H with approximately 170 original photos from all over the world. Direct shipping from the factory only to private individuals, or through our factory-owned outlets which addresses are listed in the catalog. Easy financing available. |
| 1956 Hannes Lindemann M.D.crosses the Atlantic Ocean in a stock Klepper Classic two seater on a historic 72 day Atlantic voyage. Dr. Lindemann researched survival techniques for castaways on this voyage. His Klepper is displayed at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. |  |
 |
Dr. Lindemann's boat just before he stows away his supplies. In addition to 154 lbs. of canned food, garlic, beer and water, he also packed medical supplies, cameras, freshwater stills, sextants, sea charts, sea anchors, spare sails, paddles, rudders, spare boat parts, repair materials and fishing gear. Remember! There were no stores along the way.. To prepare himself for the dangers of complete exhaustion and hallucinations which were sure to accompany it, he used auto-suggestion training which consisted of four phrases:
"Don't Give up" |
 |
1985 Arved Fuchs in his final approach to the Magnetic North Pole in a Klepper Expedition single seater kayak. Fuchs also made the first successful winter circumnavigation of Cape Horn in a Klepper single seater in 1984 |
| 1992 Eric Stiller and Tony Brown departing on a semi-circumnavigation of Australia in one of the world's wildest seas. Pictured here at the start of one of the most treacherous kayaking expeditions in history. |  |
|
|
