The engineers of the "Final Solution"

Topf & Sons - Builders of the Auschwitz Ovens

The company Topf & Söhne used to be a normal German business - that is, until it perfected the cremating ovens for Auschwitz. How was it possible that a civilian-owned company could support the SS in systematically exterminating human life? For this exhibition project, the Buchenwald Memorial will be researching the motivational structure and business culture at Topf & Söhne in order to discover what led it to collaborate with the Nazis.

Research director:
Volkhard Knigge

Project management:
Dr. Annegret Schüle

Venues:
Erfurt, Auschwitz and other locations

Premiere:
8 May 2005