It was in 1745 that our ancestor, Johann Diederich Neuhaus, was found worthy to be registered as a “Fabrickant” (manufacturer) in the “Sprockhövelschen Fabrickenbuch” (Master Scroll of the Factories in the city of Sprockhövel). A “Fabrickant” was a master-craftsman with his own workshop and who delivered his products to the “Fabrick”.
The “Fabrick”, the “Sprockhövelsche Metallwaren Fabrick” (Metal Working Factory in the city of Sprockhövel) was not a factory in today´s sense of the word but a cooperation of independent blacksmiths who worked together to sell their forged products both in the domestic market and abroad.
