Helios AG

The Helios AG für elektrisches Licht und Telegraphenanlagenbau was a German electrical engineering company. Founded in 1882, it existed until its liquidation in 1930. The company was based in the town of Ehrenfeld, which was incorporated into Cologne in 1888. The company is presently best known for the Heliosturm, a lighthouse on the former site of the factory that was constructed for test and research purposes. Today, the area is used by gastronomy and craft businesses. Helios AG was a notable entity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specializing in the production of electrical equipment and infrastructure. Founded in 1870 as the Society for Electric Light and Telegraph Construction Barthel Berghausen and Co. in Ehrenfeld, Germany, it later evolved into Helios AG on July 31, 1884. Situated strategically at Venloer Straße No. 387–389, the company's location was chosen for its proximity to transportation hubs, including the Cologne – Aachen railway line and the horse tram route to Cologne. Named after the Greek sun god, Helios AG quickly established itself as a leader in innovation, particularly in the field of electricity generation and distribution. The company pioneered the development and implementation of alternating current (AC) systems, manufacturing complete electricity plants that were deployed across Europe.