Discret Fachjournal der Unterhaltungsgastronomie May 2007

Laser=Lobo
When it comes to show lasers, the name LOBO will pop up sooner rather than later. Founded 25 years ago by Lothar Bopp, LOBO has today become one of the undisputed global market leaders. No other laser manufacturer has won more ILDA Awards and no other can probably claim to have been involved in one the defining moment of German-German history. A quarter century filled with superlatives – time for a retrospective:
The beginnings
In 1982, LOBO electronic was founded by Lothar Bopp. The company’s first activities focused on the equipment of discotheques and the development of custom-made lighting control systems. Additionally, LOBO sold laser systems of other manufacturers. Their disappointing level of quality and massive deficits in operation and technical design led to the launch of LOBO’s own extensive research and development program in the field of show laser technology.
In 1986, the business operations of LOBO lighting systems had already grown considerably in Germany and abroad. Lighting systems were sold on a large scale in Japan. Due to the continuous expansion, the company moved into new premises. At the end of the year, LOBO’s first laser controller, LACON-2, was launched.
The first spark
On the occasion of “SIB 87”, LOBO presented the first standardized solution – based on the LACON-2 laser controller, the AMP-2 scanning unit and the hitherto unique RGB color mixing unit – to color a laser graphic at any desired point. This system, which remained unique for years and was presented with the SIB Award, was the first spark for the international success of LOBO laser systems.
In the same year, LOBO’s design team was founded. This not only allowed for an expansion into the ever-growing event market, but also gave valuable impulses for the development and continuous improvement of new products. In 1988, LOBO launched the now legendary LACON-3 real-time laser controller. It offers unrivalled performance by bundling the newest achievements in the field of parallel computing systems.
Lobo writes history
In 1989, LOBO wrote history. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the GDR purchased a large laser system for the Palace of the Republic. The system was inaugurated in the presence of Mikhail Gorbachev. In front of the Palace, the masses chanted “We are the people”. After the event, the famous words “Those who are late will be punished by life itself” were said.
New standards
By 1992, LOBO had established itself as one of the leading companies in the laser industry. Now, LOBO laser systems can be found in installations from South America to the Arabian Gulf and the Far East, in discotheques, IMAX cinemas and museums. On the occasion of the “Showtech” in Berlin, LOBO introduced the Laser Truck principle. Together, two 16t standard containers form a mobile large laser system with integrated control room, operable within a very short time. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona, the system impressively demonstrated its technical superiority in practice. In 1995, LOBO set new standards with the laser safety measurement system LMS-2, awarded by the “International Laser Display Association” (ILDA). For the first time, it was possible to assess the safety of scanned laser radiation in the spectator area within a very short time and fully-automated.
Global market leader
In his book „The Hidden Champions“, Prof. Simon names LOBO as a global market leader in the field of laser show technology. In its research, the renowned newspaper “Handelsblatt” also came to the conclusion that LOBO had grown to be a market leader in its industry in the meantime. In Valencia, the inauguration of the “Hemispheric”, designed by Santiago Calatrava, with a multimedia spectacular caused an international stir in 1988. ILDA awarded this show as the outdoor laser show of the year.
For the Europa-Park, LOBO developed a revolving multimedia theater, where the entire audience area can be moved between six scenarios with different technical equipment. Five laser projectors, 40 slide projectors, six video projectors, special effects and physical experiences, such as wind, rain and temperature changes, take the visitors away into a world of pure emotion.
In 1999, the controller MODULA-5 was launched. With its compact design, its extreme user friendliness, and its unparalleled modular expansion capabilities, this device has become one of the most successful products. By midyear, LOBO inaugurated its new, futuristic headquarters, housing a multimedia studio of unique equipment and dimensions. This technically elaborate studio allows for the realistic simulation of even the largest events beforehand.