H I S T O R Y_
 
About Ritter The History of Ritter, Over 120 Years of Experience

__Frank Ritter (1844 - 1915)
The roots of the Ritter company date back to 1887 when German born founder, Frank Ritter,

opened his first factory in Rochester, New York. The history of the Ritter Dental Manufacturing

Company spans one hundred and twenty two (122) years and continues to this day with

current manufacturing facilities located in Zwönitz, Germany.

In the early years the company, a revolutionary dental chair was developed featuring an oil-pump

operated double telescopic action mechanism, a dental first.  This award winning dental chair,

the Columbia Dental Chair, introduced features that are still offered in dental chairs to this day.



_Award winning dental chair		 The late 1800’s and early 1900’s saw many changes in dental with improved understanding of

oral pathology and dental practice techniques. Dental surgeries soon filled with new equipment

that required more space.  The Ritter Company used this trend to develop an all inclusive chair,

now known as a dental unit, with all of the equipment and tools readily available to the dentist,

featuring ergonomic designs to lessen workplace injuries.

In 1917 the first ever Dental Unit was released by the Ritter Company.  Regrettably, Frank Ritter

passed away in 1915 and did not see his vision become a reality.  Many modern dental units

today still contain the features that the Ritter Company provided in 1917.

Today the Ritter name is well respected in dental circles, especially outside the US where the

brand is strong and gaining market share. The European Ritter group of companies has a

vision to return to its roots and provide dentists with reliable, innovative products using the

latest technology to enhance dental care.