Milestones and company info

1936 : Fernand Petzl and Pierre Chevalier meet. Together, these two cavers from Grenoble will revolutionize vertical progression methods in their field.

1943 : A nylon rope designed by Pierre Chevalier is first tested as a replacement for caving ladders.

1950 : Fernand Petzl and others explore the Berger Cavern in France. It is the first 1000 meter cave descent in history.

1968 : Our first rope ascenders and descenders (BASIC, SIMPLE) are brought to market under the name "Produits Fernand Petzl" (Fernand Petzl Products).

1973 : The first Petzl mountaineering headlamp is invented.

1975 : Petzl establishes its headquarters in Crolles, France. This is the beginning of Petzl manufacturing and the Petzl brand.

1977 : The first Petzl harnesses are produced.

1981 : Introduction of the ZOOM headlamp.

1986 : Establishment of the R&D department and the test tower. Creation of Team Petzl.

1990 : First products designed specifically for the professional market.

1991 : Opening of a subsidiary in the USA. First self-braking belay device: the GRIGRI.

1998 : The TIBLOC, an ultra-compact rope ascender, is introduced.

2000 : acquisition of ice axe and crampon manufacturer Charlet Moser. TIKKA, first LED headlamp.

2002 : First leashless ice axe with angled grip: the QUARK ERGO.

2004 : Introduction of the ASAP mobile fall arrester.

2006 : Creation of the Petzl Foundation.

2008 : Creation of V.axess, Petzl's training and experimentation center.

2010 : Opening of Petzl Manufacturing in Malaysia. Introduction of the PIXA, the first professional headlamp.