When they originally moved to Amsterdam, Walbrodt's parents were very poor, but by 1881, they had acquired enough money to pay for his schooling. By the mid-1890s Walbrodt and his brother owned a small factory making pantographs.
Initially, when Walbrodt's family relocated to Amsterdam, his parents were in a state of economic distress. Nevertheless, by 1881, they had acquired enough resources to secure his education. By the mid-1890s, Walbrodt and his brother owned a small enterprise that produced pantographs.