In 1926, Friedrich Winkels founded Automaten Winkels in Starnberg. What began with the installation of coin-operated telescopes developed over three generations into an international business supplying machines for tourist attractions. Today, the Euroscope name connects this history with telescopes and souvenirs at destinations across many parts of Europe.
The Beginning with Coin-Operated Telescopes
It all began with a view into the distance. Friedrich Winkels acquired coin-operated telescopes from his insolvent former employer, Graphoskop, and made their installation the foundation of his own business.
The telescopes allowed visitors to take a closer look at landscapes and landmarks. According to the company chronicle, early locations included the Königstuhl near Heidelberg, the Drachenfels in Königswinter and Hohensalzburg Fortress.
After a few years, Friedrich Winkels moved the business to his birthplace, Wuppertal. There, he gradually built up the company following the Great Depression. Alongside telescopes, the business also operated vending machines and gaming machines.
The connection between views and keepsakes existed from an early stage: the chronicle records that souvenir medals were already being sold through the telescopes at that time.
The Difficult Restart After the Second World War
After the Second World War, the company initially had to find other ways to resume operations. It manufactured supplies for the hospitality industry, using available materials and machinery salvaged from destroyed factories.
As the economy was reorganised after the war, Automaten Winkels returned to the coin-operated machine business. Coin-operated telescopes were designed, built and installed at tourist destinations in West Germany.
In the decades that followed, however, the business increasingly focused on vending machines and gaming machines. Tourism remained part of the company’s activities, but for a time played a less central role.
Three Generations Shape the Company
After the founder’s death in 1966, his son, also named Friedrich Winkels, took sole charge of the company.
In the late 1970s, Jochen Winkels, the founder’s grandson, joined the family business, bringing in the third generation. With him, the company’s tourism roots moved back to the forefront.
New telescopes and information machines expanded the range. At the same time, the company began extending its activities beyond Germany.
From Germany to Its European Neighbours
The first branch outside Germany was established in Austria in 1984. The Netherlands followed in 1986 and France in 1989, gradually building an international presence.
German reunification opened up further business opportunities and gave the company a boost. By around the turn of the millennium, it was also active in Switzerland, England, Belgium and Italy.
This growth also strengthened relationships with the people who run and develop tourist attractions. Personal contact with location partners became an important foundation for further expansion.
New Souvenirs and the Euroscope Name
Existing relationships with tourist attractions created opportunities to introduce additional products. Alongside telescopes, the company increasingly developed and installed souvenir vending machines.
Penny press machines allowed visitors to press their own keepsakes. Souvenir medal dispensers and, later, souvenir banknote dispensers expanded the range. The experience of visiting a place became increasingly connected with a tangible memory to take home.
The company’s international expansion also brought a new name: Euroscope, created by shareholder Dr Bettina Bähr, under which the business became known beyond Germany. Together with Jochen Winkels, she helped shape its further development, contributing her flair for language and clear reasoning while maintaining personal contact with local representatives, longstanding partners and customers.
New Companies Bring Fresh Ideas
In 2013 and 2014, the Dutch companies Lucoba and Corforma became part of Euroscope, further strengthening its presence in the Netherlands.
Cor Sponselee of Corforma also brought creative ideas that gave fresh impetus to product development. Bringing together different experiences and perspectives helped the company further develop its offering for tourist attractions.
A New Chapter
2023 marked the beginning of a new chapter: Jochen Winkels and Dr Bettina Bähr handed the company over to a new generation. As no family member was able to take over this time, they looked for an entrepreneur who would carry Euroscope forward in their spirit. And so the third generation of the Winkels family handed over to the first generation of the Weingart family. In August 2023, Urs Weingart joined the management – initially alongside Jochen Winkels and Dr Bettina Bähr, and since 2024 as sole Managing Director.
The company’s family-run character remains intact: personal relationships and long-term thinking continue to define Euroscope. What has grown over three generations is being carried forward with continuity – while the new management and the entire team bring fresh ideas to location partners and customers in products, service and collaboration
100 Years of Views and Memories
In 2026, the company looks back on a century of history. Its journey spans the first coin-operated telescopes, various areas of the vending and gaming machine business, and Euroscope’s present-day offering for tourist attractions.
Much has changed along the way: the technology, the product range and the countries in which the company operates. Its connection with special places has remained. Telescopes open up new perspectives, souvenirs preserve memories – and working with the people at each location makes both possible.
FAQ
Automaten Winkels was founded in Starnberg in 1926 by Friedrich Winkels.
The original business involved installing coin-operated telescopes. Friedrich Winkels had acquired the equipment from his former employer, Graphoskop, after it became insolvent.
The first branch outside Germany was established in Austria in 1984. The Netherlands followed in 1986 and France in 1989.
The Euroscope name was created by Bettina Bähr during the company’s international development. The company chronicle does not specify an exact year. Under the name Automaten Winkels, the company’s history dates back to 1926.
The business began with coin-operated telescopes. Over the decades, vending machines, gaming machines, information machines and tourist souvenir machines were added. The latter include penny press machines, souvenir medal dispensers and souvenir banknote dispensers.