Kempinski, restaurant pioneer

Three ladies advertise Haus Vaterland, Kempinski's pleasure palace on Potsdamer Platz. (Kempinski)

The large restaurant existed from 1928 to 1943 and counted about one million visitors a year. After the end of the war, the burnt-out ruin continued to be used as a restaurant with several interruptions until it was finally closed in June 1953. (Kempinski)

The numerous themed restaurants in Haus Vaterland were all served from a central kitchen. In addition, there was a stage program, music and vaudeville. Here is a group picture of the staff. (Kempinski)

Munich's Löwenbräusaal served hearty Bavarian food. A vacation trip to the real Bavaria was unaffordable for many Berliners at the time. (Kempinski)

"In Haus Vaterland you eat thoroughly, here it thunders hourly." The Rhine terraces at Haus Vaterland were a highlight. Behind glass panes, there were model trains and thunderstorm simulations in a replica of the Rhine valley near St. Goar. (Kempinski)

Marketing pioneer: Kempinski advertising was on every corner in Berlin. (Kempinski)

Behind the scenes: rinsing crew of Leipziger Straße 25. (Kempinski)

Chefs of the Hotel Adlon at lunch in 1913. (Kempinski)

Berthiold Kempinski himself died a made man in 1910. The scion of an assimilated Jewish family did not have to witness how the Nazis "Aryanized" his company in 1937. (Kempinski)