In June 1914, Oskar Barnack, an optical engineer in Leitz's factory in Wetzler, Germany, constructed the first prototype of the Leica. His idea was to produce a small, handy camera which could take photos in a quick and simple way, while using standard 35 mm film available on the market to make the cost comparatively cheaper. "Small negatives, large pictures" was his motto. He called it Leica ("Lei" being the first part of his surname and "ca" for camera), and this was how the company came into being a century ago.