fischertechnik turns 60! The famous brand has been inspiring generations of children, young people and adults for six decades. What once began as an original Christmas idea for the customers of the fastening specialist fischer has developed into a global success story - as an innovation leader for playful learning, education and industrial applications. With quality "Made in Germany" and a clear focus on sustainability, fischertechnik not only brings technology to life, but also prepares children for the challenges of the future.
The history of fischertechnik began in 1965, when the construction toy was given as a Christmas present to important customers from the fischer Group's fastening sector. The first 1,000 construction sets were donated to "Aktion Sorgenkind".
Shortly after their market launch, the high-quality building blocks with their mortise-and-tenon joint impressed with their particularly stable connection. By 1970, fischertechnik was already enriching school lessons. Two years later, a fischertechnik building set was voted "Toy of the Year" in the Netherlands
Playfully discover the technology of tomorrow
From the very beginning, the construction kits reflected the technological challenges of their time. Today, many models are dedicated to highly topical subjects such as renewable energies. This enables youngsters to understand the principles of wind power, solar energy and hydropower in a playful way. Through hands-on experimentation, children and young people learn how hydrogen is produced from water through electrolysis, which then powers a small model car.
Another focus is on promoting digital skills. The fischertechnik sets introduce children and young people to the world of programming. They can program their self-built robots and experience how their constructions are brought to life with sensors and motors. This combination of practice and theory optimally prepares them for the demands of the digital world and at the same time promotes important future skills such as logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Technology through play worldwide
fischertechnik products have found their way into children's rooms, educational institutions and companies in over 60 countries worldwide. Many exciting projects with the well-known building blocks from the northern Black Forest are taking place around the world. In China, for example, the Shanghai Robot Society and the Ministry of Education regularly organize major university competitions with fischertechnik. This promotes technical understanding among children through play. Last year, over 900 pupils from 30 schools took part in a major robotics competition with fischertechnik in the Philippines. The company also inspires the next generation of young engineers as a global partner of the international robot competition World Robot Olympiad.
Record-breaking: large models and fan club
The community? Huge! With 30,000 fans in the fischertechnik Club and spectacular exhibitions at which meter-high models are displayed, fischertechnik continues to set new standards. Two world records speak for themselves: in 2015, a 45-meter-long cable-stayed bridge was built from fischertechnik building blocks at the site in the northern Black Forest. In 2024, this record was even surpassed: 130 children from twelve elementary schools in Karlsruhe built a ball passing machine from fischertechnik components with a total length of 68.60 meters.
Fit for the STEM world of tomorrow with fischertechnik
The teaching materials offered by fischertechnik make STEM content (math, IT, science, technology) easily accessible in primary and secondary schools. Pupils learn future skills such as problem-solving or creative thinking in a playful way. The fischertechnik range of teaching materials includes sets on topics ranging from robotics and artificial intelligence to renewable energies, electronics and mechanics. From 2025, fischertechnik construction kits will be used in over 400 schools in Baden-Württemberg as part of the "Computational Thinking" educational program to introduce pupils in grades 5 to 8 to computer science and technology. After all, those who learn through play are better equipped for the challenges of the future!
Compact factory simulation systems for important
The fischertechnik factory simulation systems are used in schools, at universities and in large industrial companies such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, IBM and Airbus. At BMW, they are used for the practical training of employees, while in cooperation with IBM they are driving forward the simulation of Industry 4.0 applications.
In 2016, fischertechnik was the inspiration for the expansion of the Panama Canal: a model made of fischertechnik building blocks was used in the planning of the locks. This allowed various processes to be simulated: the rise and fall of the water and the horizontal displacement of water by the ship.
The University of Potsdam also uses fischertechnik to teach complex automation and AI processes in a clear and practical way - proof of how closely education and innovation are interlinked at fischertechnik.
Sustainability and quality - Made in Germany
fischertechnik products stand for quality "Made in Germany": durable, indestructible and sustainable. The high-quality building blocks have been combinable since their market launch. In addition, fischertechnik fulfills the strict EU toy guidelines and is still manufactured in Germany - a promise that is aimed at the values of generations.
The company's service promise ensures that spare parts and extensions are available even after many years. This combination of longevity, sustainability and modular expandability makes fischertechnik a brand that will last for generations.
Outlook: Together into the future
The 60th anniversary is not only an opportunity to look back on an impressive success story, but also to look ahead. With a clear focus on sustainability, education and innovation, fischertechnik remains an indispensable brand for playful learning, hands-on experimentation and future-oriented technology.
60 years of fischertechnik - understanding technology through play.
