Schwäbische Post 07 October 1989

Today, Gorbachev inaugurates a show and laser animation system from the company “LOBO electronic”
Aalen-Unterkochen (baz). What is the connection between Lothar Bopp, a graduate engineer from Unterkochen, and Erich Honecker and Michael Gorbachev? A laser system!
The company “LOBO electronic” from Unterkochen has developed the system that today will be handed over to SED party leader Honecker and inaugurated by the Soviet head of state, Mikhail Gorbachev – of course in East Berlin’s Palace of the Republic at Marx-Engels-Platz. The system will be tested in front of 3,500 selected guests invited by the GDR on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
Company head Lothar Bopp, currently literally flying back and forth between East Berlin and Unterkochen, will not miss the chance to personally supervise the commissioning of the system. “You have to have seen it for yourself,” the company leader from Unterkochen gushes about the Palace of the Republic, characterized by its multi-functionality.
On several floors, restaurants, TV and broadcasting studios, dance clubs, a theater, a foyer with an area of 3,500 square meters, and a bowling alley can be found. In addition to the plenary hall, offering 790 seats for the delegates of the People’s Chamber, the engineer from Unterkochen was particularly impressed by the modern technology in the large hall with its 5,000 seats. Giant state-of-the-art sound, light and video systems are evidence that high tech has moved into the Palace of the Republic.
Largest system in the Eastern Bloc
With its show and animation laser systems, the company “LOBO electronic” has now put the cherry on top of this state-of-the-art system. Company boss Bopp said: „Now, this laser system is the largest of its kind in the entire Eastern Bloc.” It is based on a transputer-controlled LACON-3 computer with periphery as well as four laser tubes, more than 210 fiber optics and three de-coupling positions for scanning technology. In addition, Bopp and his team mounted 60 laser deflection mirrors – the laser show can begin.
Among experts, the company from Unterkochen has been considered a prime address for elaborate laser shows for a long time now. On behalf of the newest subsidiary of the American multinational corporation General Motors, ACG, “Lobo electronic” presented an industrial show at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, which was put together in its studios in Unterkochen. The show was presented more than 500 times in the laser cinema at IAA.
By now, the successful activities of the company have let to business contacts in Italy, Switzerland and Korea. With today’s spectacular laser show in the Palace of the Republic, “LOBO electronic” has ensured that the footnote Aalen-Unterkochen will be added to the seal of quality “Made in Germany”.