Karl Elsener (inventor)

Karl Elsener (9 October 1860 - 26 December 1918) was a Swiss cutler, inventor and entrepreneur.

Karl Elsener completed an apprenticeship as a knife maker in Zug. After some journeyman years he opened a factory in Ibach, Switzerland in 1884 for the manufacture of knives and surgical instruments. He invented the Swiss army knife in 1891 and developed his knife manufacturing company into what has become Victorinox.

From 1912 to 1918 Elsener was a member of the cantonal parliament of the Canton of Schwyz. He was married three times.

After him his son, Carl Elsener (1886-1950), and his grandson Carl Elsener senior (1922-2013) and his great-grandson Carl Elsener Jr. (born 1958) led the Victorinox company.