Years of research, the opening of the company archive and interviews with contemporary witnesses form the basis of this book about one of the most innovative and exciting technology companies of the 21st century – NAGRA.

However, it was only made possible by the fact that the author was given access to what is probably the world’s largest collection of NAGRA devices in Vienna.

The result is a history of the company that has never existed before in this comprehensive and complete form, authorized by the Kudelski family, and which is unlikely to be repeated.

Closely linked to the history of the company is the development of professional sound recording for radio, film and television, and this history is also traced here; hardly any radio station, film production or television drama could do without the quality, precision and legendary reliability of NAGRA recorders.

In the course of its development, the company was also repeatedly in close contact with the authorities and secret services, particularly due to the miniaturization of the recording devices. This topic is given a great deal of space in the book because the – understandably – reticent information policy in this area has repeatedly given rise to legends and myths that still circulate today. Some of these traditions are confirmed here, while many others are refuted.

The book is extensively illustrated to a high standard and features many previously unpublished illustrations.