Maschinengasse and paper machines

Virtual Museum

Maschinengasse and paper machines

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Monster machines

The Maschinengasse – 'Machine alley' – was so named because the factory buildings with paper machines 1 and 2 were located there. These machines were huge, powerful behemoths, and rendered faithful service – for a total of 241 years! However, their time came to an end in 1983.

Paper machines 1 and 2 were called PM1 and PM2 for short. And, while their names remained the same, over all those years, the actual machines themselves were completely rebuilt and replaced over and again. To begin with, they were driven by hydropower and were only fitted with electric motors in 1919 and 1921.

They were also quite massive: several hundred meters long, with their operating width constantly being extended. At the end, they were able to produce rolls of paper a full 4.2 meters wide.

Images

Former paper machine halls 1–4 on Maschinengasse: a gigantic-looking paper machine 2 with the foreman in a suit. (1917)
The sheet cutter was located on the upper floor of the building. (1925)
The finished paper was rolled up automatically. (c. 1960)
The paper machine was in full operation until 1983. (c. 1980)
Paper machine 2 with its historic-looking control desk. (c. 1980)
The former paper machine halls PM 1–4 are complemented by the parallel Building A with 163 rental apartments. Maschinengasse is taking shape.
Life will soon return. The commercial and office spaces on the ground floors on both sides of Maschinengasse will soon be occupied.

Location

The former site of paper machinery halls PM 1–2 in what is now Maschinengasse

Like to find out more?

For more detailed information about the huge machines used at Cham paper mill, take a look here:

Who's using paper machinery hall 1 + 2 today