50 years of ewa-marine

with No Comments
logo 50 years ewa-marine


2019 is the year that the flexible ewa-marine housing turns 50 !

On the beach with ewa-marine in the 1970s.
One of the original ewa-marine housings for Super8 cameras back in the 70s

Even though our company dates back to 1947, it was in 1969 that the very first flexible housing was developed, tested and sold for the first time. The year the name “marine” joined up with “ewa” to become the brand that has become know around the globe and synonymous with a low cost, light weight, good value option for all involved or starting out in underwater photography and video.

Founded back in 1947, we were originally a textile manufacturer. The decline of that industry in Europe in the 60’s left our CEO, H.J. Goedecke looking for a new business model. He found it by combining two of his passions in an area where he saw market demand. His love of water spots and Super8 filming. The hard housings available at the time (and today) had serious drawbacks for his personal requirements. Although suitable for deep scuba diving, they are cumbersome around the surface. They are also heavy and bulky to pack. And another factor that irritated early adapters to new cameras, like him: They weren’t available when the cameras came out and each new camera required a new housing. There had to be a better solution! Something flexible, light and more universal! And the idea for an ewa-marine housing was born!

Experiments were made. New machines designed to manufacture what was needed and many tests and trials undertaken. The result was the very fist ewa-marine UW-S. Made and tested in 1969 and launched on the markt at the end of the year in Germany. Sales in other international markets followed after Photokina in 1970. ewa-marine has been the brand associated with safe and value for money uw-housings, around the globe, ever since.

Naturally, our housings have evolved and improved with the many years of experience. Our own testing as well as projects with camera manufacturers, professional users and feedback form our fan base have all flown into the design. But there are some aspects that never changed:
– Designed for durability. Housings are designed and made from material to have a life expectancy of decades.
– And optical front port made from German made mineral glass for perfect picture quality.
– All housings are hand-made in our own factory in Germany. And tested before shipment. Quality you can trust!

Over the years many have tried to copy our products. But (fortunately) it seems none have managed to provide the quality and reliability of the original. They have come, and gone. Only we have remained! And hope to b able to serve you and your camera for many years to come.

Our 50th birthday. A year we’d not be able to celebrate without you, our customers and fans and your support:
So, from all of us at ewa-marine, thank you for you support in the past, present, and hopefully future!