LEIPZIG TECHNICAL FAIR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003100720005-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 18, 2009
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: December 23, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA003100720005-3
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY
PLACE ACQUIRED
East Germany/USSR
Leipzig Technical Fair
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. The general impression gained of the Leipzig Technical Fair was that exhibits were
largely confined to known products of little particular interest. The number
of visitors was normal,, although the Germans (in particular the local9 or
Leipzig Germans) outnumbered the foreigners. On Sunday, visitors really
interested in exhibits were few, as practically all had come just to see
the show.
2. Automobiles and motorcycles for private use were exhibited, though they
differed in no way from existing types in performance, equipment or dimensicIss.
3. There was nothing much to be seen in the way of heavy industrial machinery
apart from a complete small-capacity distillation plant which was lined
throughout with porcelain. None pf the East German machines were partiaular?ly
noteworthy but one gained the impression that the known types of machine car,
now be supplied in greater quantities. This applies to power plantls,as wel-L
as to heating and refrigerating apparatus and to apparatus used in the
chemical industry.
4. Few rachines for use in the rubber and leather industries were shown, nor
had the building industry anything to offer of special interest. No novelties
of a striking nature were to be seen in the electrical or telecommunications
field, apart from a mobile transformer station. Nothing noteworthy in the
field of chemistry was shown; most firms iontented themselves with depicting
the modus opperandi of their products.
5. In the case of synthetic materials efforts to 25X1
replace natural leather by a suitable substitute; in spite o this, however,
these exhibits did not receive much attention.
6. In the instrument and optical fields the wide choice of industrial test
apparatus (including materials testing appliances) was striking.
STATE I
SECRET/CONTROL - U. S. CIF'FICIALS ONLY
NAVY _T x JAIIR
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distributio""
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation 3f Its contents
t?) or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
25X1
23 December 195:3
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA003100720005-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA003100720005-3
SECRET/CAMCL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
7. A travelling crane made by Kranbau Bberawalde which wu capable of lifting
15 tons with a large radius of action and which had a pivoting crane most,
giving a greater range of utilization, vas of 'special interest. Cranes of
15,,-25, and 50 tons lifting capacity running on rail tracks were also shown.
Excavating machinery was of standard design.
8. The Czechs exhibited a light sports aircraft with a wing span of 10 m.s a
length of 7.35 m. and an average cruising speed of 112 km. p.h.; this aircraft,
it is believed, is equipped with a Simon aero engine.
9. In textile.. machinery,Soviet typee_,or at. any rate a close resemblance to
machines or this kind built in the East were recognisable,
14. The Soviets exhibited tractors, motor vehicles and agricultural machinery but
ia,,sizes suitable only for the U.S.S.R. (sic). They also'exhibited paper and
shot gums b .
Bulgarian products shown were only token
Hungarian
h
P
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th
,
,
s
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e
11.
exhibits of industry in these coun es; no hing was for sale.
120 CYO na, is exhibiting her goods and machinery, gave an idea of the rapid.
me'ahani,$ation and development of that country. It was evident that Chi is
boing very extensively developed and is able to use,to advantage her abundant
natural products, which Germany can only purchase with difficulty.
13. In regar, d to the organization of the Fair, it was only possible to deal with
i idual,foreign exhibitors by applying to a special burQau,which was so
rk v
siring $n its information that it was difficult to find out. where the article
ih queit4.oncame from, where it was made, by whom,, or how it, could be obtained.
Orders could only be given through the Deutsche Handelszentrale (DHZ). In
most cases 1954 was given as the first year in yhich production could be started;
in other cases the manufacturers had sufficient orders on hand. Prospectuses of
Sate],iite firms were kept under glass and could only be obtained on personal
application...
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA003100720005-3