Harder & Steenbeck - Metallwarenfabrik The company Harder & Steenbeck was founded during the fall of 1923 by two engineers, August Harder and Wilhelm Steenbeck in Hamburg Altona (Germany). In the beginning, capacitors, resonant circuit coils and other electrical components were made for the radio manufacturing industry. The program was extended to devices used to demonstrate physical and electro-physical experiments in schools and higher technical institutes. During the world economic recession of the 1920´s the government no longer subsidized teaching materials for schools, and because of this the company had to be reduced in size. Mr.Steenbeck separated from the enterprise and Mr. Harder managed the company alone, producing many spare parts for the automobile industry. During the Second World War, ship's sonar components were produced, but the end of the war meant an end to the requirement for these parts. Mr. Harder began to produce airbrush and spraying equipment. Some were based on old models and some were his own new designs. The first spray gun to be produced was the PRIMA, after that the CONSUL, and later the ULTRA airbrush. All these products were renowned for their durability and robustness and were valued by all those who used them, including Graphic designers, retouchers, artists, the Porcelain Industry and especially the doll and toy manufacturers in South Germany. In addition a wide variety of parts and equipment for the spray gun industry and compressed air products were produced covering many applications. Mr. Hans Harder, son of August Harder, became active as an engineer in the company in 1955. After the death of the Mr. Harder senior in 1975, he took over the company "Harder and Steenbeck" continued in the footsteps of the founder until 1992. In 1992 the company was sold to the business consultant Michael Strube. In the fall of 1993 the company moved to Oststeinbek in the eastern Outskirts of Hamburg. In 1995 the precision engineer Jens Matthießen joined the company as a partner. New product lines were introduced in 1996 with the production of the legendary "GRAFO ", and then the " COLANI ", the development continued further with the " EVOLUTION ". Great attention has been paid to quality, lasting value and product image. In the year 2000 the airbrush section of Hansa Technik , located in Norderstedt/Germany was aquired by Harder & Steenbeck. Since 2004 Jens Matthiessen is sole proprietor of Harder & Steenbeck Metallwarenfabrik e.K. and Managing Director of Hansa World of Airbrush Marketing and Sales Co. Today, the companies Harder & Steenbeck and Hansa World of Airbrush exports their products worldwide.	The founders of the company: August Harder and Wilhelm Steenbeck. This picture was created using the "Evolution" airbrush at the "Airbrush Forum" 2005. Artist: Steffen Lekies of Hamburg/Germany.