30.04.2026 Foundation Foundation founder Ernst Abbe in a likeable small format

The German Optical Museum (D.O.M.) in Jena is immortalizing physicist and foundation founder Ernst Abbe as a limited edition PLAYMOBIL® special figure, bringing an important chapter of Jena's scientific and industrial history to life in a playful way.

After the Carl Zeiss figure saw the light of day in spring 2024, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung is now delighted to welcome its founder in miniature.

"Ernst Abbe established the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung in 1889, a pioneering idea at the time. To this day, the foundation is the owner of the Carl Zeiss and SCHOTT companies and promotes research and teaching in the natural sciences and engineering. In our funding programs, we are always looking for people who want to lead the way with creative, innovative ideas. This is exactly what the Playmobil figures are based on. We are delighted that the founder of our foundation, Ernst Abbe, is now available in a likeable miniature format. It should be inspiring to see him standing in many laboratories in the future, looking over the shoulders of researchers as they work," says Dr. Felix Streiter, Managing Director of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung.

With its many loving details, the figure stands for scientific excellence, innovative strength and economically sustainable action. Abbe is holding the famous formula for the resolution limit in microscopy - a milestone in science. The establishment of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung is also immortalized in the set, recorded in the open book on his desk, which documents Abbe's social reform work.

The figurine is available in limited numbers online via the D.O.M. website or in small numbers at the Jena Tourist Information Office for 9.99 euros.