The ubiquitous Red Dot with a classic long-L Leica logo inscribed in white in its center is now synonymous with Leica—the camera, the company, and the brand. A masterpiece of simple, elegant graphic design, it’s emblazoned on virtually every new Leica camera.

The Leica M3, which commenced production in 1953 and was officially released in 1954. Indeed, were it not for World War II the landmark Leica M3 may well have debuted in the early to mid 1940s!

The New York branch of Ernst Leitz GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany was founded in 1893 by Ludwig Leitz, the eldest son of Ernst Leitz I. Ludwig Leitz envisioned the company as an international enterprise, and he had the uncommon foresight to understand that the United States, and its largest city and leading commercial hub, was the perfect place to plant the Leitz flag.