Origins
Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann started making cream separators in 1899 in Herzebrock, Germany. By 1907 they had moved to Gütersloh, Germany, and were making washing machines and grew into other household appliances.
Bicycles
In the 1920s the company rapidly expanded and started making many new products. It made some automobiles for only a few years. In 1924, the company began making bicycles.
Innovation
The company's motto has always been "forever better." They continued development by motorizing their bicycles in 1933, and, by 1934, they were making motorcycles.
Function
During World War II they were ordered to make whatever supplies the German army needed. This period slowed the company's growth, but it still managed to make bicycles and wagons on a limited scale.
New direction
In 1960, the company decided to concentrate on kitchen appliances and stopped making bicycles.
Rebirth
In 2000, a Canadian company, Procycle, began selling the Miele brand again. The original Miele bikes were transportation-oriented but the Procycle version is more of the competition style.
Article Written By James Jordan
James Jordan has been a writer and photographer since 1980. He has worked for newspapers in Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kansas, winning state press association awards for writing, photography and page design. In 1995 he received his master's in Christian education and completed two years of Ancient Greek at the graduate level. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.
