Karl Elsener (inventor) Karl Elsener (inventor) Karl Elsener (9 October 1860 - 26 December 1918) was a Swiss cutler, inventor and entrepreneur. Karl Elsener completed an apprenticeship as a knife maker in Zug. After some journeyman years he opened a factory in Ibach, Switzerland in 1884 for the manufacture of knives and surgical instruments. He invented the Swiss army knife in 1891 and developed his knife manufacturing company into what has become Victorinox. From 1912 to 1918 Elsener was a member of the cantonal parliament of the Canton of Schwyz. He was married three times. After him his son, Carl Elsener (1886-1950), and
Karl Friedrich von Liel at the German Confederation from 1850 to 1851 and from 1854 to 1863, he was advanced to Oberst in 1852. Shortly after he became war minister, he died in Badenweiler. Karl Friedrich von Liel Karl Friedrich von Liel (May 10, 1799 – March 7, 1863) was a Bavarian Major General and War Minister under Maximilian II of Bavaria from March 1 until his death. Von Liel was born in Koblenz. In 1839 he was advanced to the rank of a Hauptmann, and invented a fortress gun carriage, which was named after him. In 1844 he became Major, and in 1848