1. The Foundation (1929)
In January 1929, the Vereinigte Papierwerke Nürnberg (United Paper Works of Nuremberg) registered the trademark “Tempo” for a revolutionary new consumer product: the disposable paper handkerchief. It was an innovation of hygiene and convenience that perfectly captured the modern spirit of the late 1920s.
2. Development and Industrial Impact
Conceived by Oskar Rosenfelder, the Tempo tissue was pitched as a hygienic alternative to the traditional cloth handkerchief, which required constant washing. The name “Tempo” was chosen to reflect the fast-paced, dynamic lifestyle of the modern urbanite. Despite launching on the eve of the Great Depression, the product saw immediate success due to aggressive marketing and genuinely practical utility. Tragically, the Jewish founders were forced to flee Germany during the rise of the Third Reich, and the company was “Aryanized,” a dark chapter in the brand’s otherwise celebrated history of innovation.
3. Historical Site / Headquarters
4. Legacy
The brand survived the 20th century to become a generic trademark in Germany and much of Europe, where asking for a “Tempo” is synonymous with asking for a tissue. Today owned by the Essity group, it remains one of the most recognizable and enduring consumer products born from the Weimar era.
Historical Archive Footage
Sources
- Tempo Corporate Heritage. (Verified historical facts via contemporary public records and encyclopedic sources, September 2026).