Johann Josef Keller *3 Feb 1870
Jakob Knappich *21 May 1866
found the Augsburg-Oberhausen Acetylene Factory for the production of cost-effective domestic and municipal lighting, household appliances and vehicle headlights.
The name KUKA is derived from the initial letters of the company name Keller und Knappich "Augsburg".
Hans Keller, a businessman from Augsburg, and Jakob Knappich, a former factory director in Soden-Salmünster, purchase the former Klöster'sche Reformschultafelfabrik near the Augsburg-Oberhausen railway station. Here the two will set up the Augsburg-Oberhausen acetylene factory to manufacture acetylene equipment and metal goods.