In 1920 the first Th1 with a
one arc second direct reading microscope and coincidence reading of the circles was completed. This instrument began the
modernization of theodolite construction.
When Heinrich Wild moved in the spring 1921 to Heerbrugg he realized his plans by founding, together with Dr. Robert Helbling from Flums and Jacob
Schmidheiny from Heerbrugg the “Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik, Heerbrugg”. This organization was created April 26, 1921.
Dr. Wild then constructed in his own workshop a theodolite similar in design to the original Th1 but improved in many respects. It is widely known today
by the name, Wild Universal Theodolite (or later as the famous WILD T2).
In March 1923 the first instrument for
sale was finished.
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The following are amongst the
improvements in this form of the instrument:
Changing
over of the images of the horizontal and vertical circles by means of a
changeover prism.
Bringing
the eyepiece of the microscope immediately alongside that of the telescope.
New
system of packing the instrument in a metal case.
Greatly
increased precision of graduation and reading of the circles, rendering the
instrument capable of replacing theodolites of twice its size of the old
form.
A further improvement deserving
of special mention is the new Arrangement for attaching the instrument to its
tripod. Wild moved the point of suspension of the plumb-bob into the plane Of
the feet of the leveling screws, thus permitting of the instrument being leveled
without disturbing the centering over the station-point.
As an accessory to the Universal
Theodolite the precision telemeter was constructed, to be placed over the
objective, raking use of a plane-parallel glass plate as an optical micrometer.
Amongst further instruments
designed and constructed by Wild may be mentioned:
The telescopic alidade
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The level with circle, in which
the circle is read of a special Arrangement of scale-microscope.
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The Precision Theodolite, of
similar design to the Universal Theodolite, but of larger dimensions and
increased accuracy and the Precise Telemeter.
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After establishing his factory
in Heerbrugg, Wild turned his attention to photogrammetry, and constructed an
autograph differing from every existing construction in that the guide - rods
were rigidly fixed to the plate-carriers. The solution of the problem here
involved was first rendered possible by the invention of the correction-device
for the automatic elimination of the projection-errors, which arise with this
Arrangement.
It would take us too far afield
to enter here on the numerous other interesting points of detail presented by
the Wild Autograph.
In 1922 Wild constructed a
new phototheodolite with special ball and socket arrangements in place of
the usual axes, whereby a much more squat construction could be achieved.
By this Combination of the photographic camera with a precise theodolite,
the successful phototheodolite was obtained, which is unique in the World
and represents the most complete and perfect instrument of this kind which
ever was seen.
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In 1925 Wild brought out
his Air Camera with improved objective 1:5 (improved definition at plate
edges, freedom from distortion, less falling-off of illumination at
plate-corners).
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From this short summary it will
be evident how largely the inventions and constructions of Wild have contributed
to the development of geodetic instruments; but for his inventive and creative
talent, the manufacture of geodetic instruments would not have undergone the
epoch-making changes and the unexpectedly rapid progress of which the results
are manifest today throughout the world.
In 1931 he moved to Zurich and
leaved Wild Heerbrugg on 7.December 1932. But he was working as a independent
designer and developer still for them till 1935.
