WMF (WURTTEMBERGISCHE METALLWARENFABRIK) literally translates as the Wurttemberg Metalware Factory. The company's origins date back to 1880, in Germany and following many aquisitions of other companies, it became Wurttemberg's largest employer, pre-1914, at which date it switched to manufacturing artillery shells. After WW1, it reverted to production of high quality household goods until 1936, when the factory again switched to the production of military goods. WMF began to sell its domestic products in department stores in 1969.