Inside the WEHA Boxing Glove factory

Published April 6, 2021 by

The right sporting equipment is important, helping us reach our goals.

We don't often get to see behind the scenes of how this equipment is made. Let's explore the Weha sporting good factory, with archive photography from the German Olympic and Sport Museum.

black and white photograph, group of women working on sewing machines in a factory

The WEHA sporting equipment firm was founded in 1907 by German master saddler Wilhelm Heinrich, focusing initially on fencing equipment. It was based in Berlin.

After World War I, the company began to create more sporting equipment - in particular for boxing.

black and white photograph, two men constructing boxing glvoes

black and white photograph, a man making boxing gloves

In Germany, boxing had been banned until 1919. With no previous market, there were no other German companies making boxing equipment.

Thus, WEHA became the first German company to manufacture boxing gloves.

black and white photograph, group of women working on sewing machines

Weha boxing gloves soon grew in popularity, worn by amateurs and professionals alike. They were used in many national and world championships. German champion boxer Max Schmeling was among those using Weha boxing gloves.

colour photograph, a pair of brown boxing gloves

Max Schmeling: the first German world heavyweight boxing champion

In addition to boxing equipment, Weha produced sporting goods for land and roller skate hockey, ice hockey, fencing, rugby and jiu jitsu.

black and white photograph, a woman holds up a ball with half-finished balls around her

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In 1936, Weha won a contract to supply equipment to the 1936 Olympic Games being held in Berlin. Organised by Nazi Germany, these games were controversial due to being used as a propaganda tool by Adolf Hitler.

They supplied boxing equipment, as well as items for hockey. India's hockey team were the champions of the 1936 Olympics, declaring Weha's equipment to be the best in the world.

black and white photograph, a man and woman working in front of shelves in a factory

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Inside the WEHA Boxing Glove factory

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