Since 1952 Blumenau has been a world reference in crystals when the German immigrant Karl Strauss and his wife Ruth Hering Strauss founded Cristais Hering. Deep connoisseur of the process of making pure crystal, Karl brought all technology and countrymen professionals to set up the first factory in the city and put Blumenau on the world stage of Crystals. In 1983, he and his son Frederick Strauss founded Cristalerie Strauss. Frederico was a pioneer in the development of the first Sommelier cups in Brazil, 24% pbO and the first Overlay cups (Colored) in Brazil.