Fifty years ago, the beneficial properties of the sun were made accessible to everyone in the world for the first time, regardless of location or time.

This was made possible by the breakthrough achieved by the German inventor Friedrich Wolff with his development of the “sunbed.” His profound knowledge and understanding of the vital and beneficial effects of sunlight on people, and his passion for making it accessible regardless of latitude or season, ultimately brought him the desired success. His invention was groundbreaking for an entire industry, which subsequently developed rapidly around the globe.

Thanks to his invention of a “sun” that could be integrated into a “sunbed,” tanning lamps have since fulfilled people’s need for sunlight, well-being, and tanning. They provide a beneficial and relaxing effect on both body and mind. Several studies have now shown that people not only feel more attractive when they are lightly tanned, but also perceive others as more vital and active when they are lightly tanned.

Fig 1.

In 1976, inventor Friedrich Wolff perfectly captured the spirit of the times with his invention. The post-war years in Europe were characterized by the economic miracle. By the end of the 1960s, basic needs such as security, comfortable living, a bathroom with a bathtub, and assistance with household chores through electric appliances were largely met for the majority of the German and also the Southern Europe population.

The 1970s presented themselves with a desire for freedom and individuality, with iconic fashion items such as bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and colorful patterns. Socially, issues such as environmental protection and feminism, as well as sports like jogging (also called “Trimm Dich” movement), shaped this era in Germany and Southern Europe. People strove to increase their attractiveness through physical exercise and cosmetic treatments. They presented themselves in the best possible light and treated themselves. This was underscored by a physically attractive and fashionably extravagant public appearance. In the 1970s, tanned skin was an absolute must-have and a common beauty ideal. A tan also signaled that they had the opportunity to go on vacation and enjoy their relaxing time.

The invention of the tanning bed made tanning and well-being accessible to everyone in everyday life, before or after vacation and outside summer months.

From the 1970s to the present day, tanning has gone through various trends and, when used in moderation, remains a sign of vitality and well-being.

Research has now thoroughly investigated the relationship between beneficial and harmful UV exposure for people. Individual UV protection based on personal skin type can now be determined very accurately using skin type charts. The UV index for regions and times of day can be calculated, and metrics such as “joules of UV energy” are also well-known, allowing for a clear comparison and dosage of sun exposure in sunbeds compared to sun exposure in other environments.

The sun, both in the sky and in a sunbed, provides a broad spectrum of UV radiation. The human body reacts to this with skin tanning and vitamin D production. Although vitamin D production and its other beneficial effects are merely a welcome side effect, the warmth in a sunbed, when the sun is absent, provides the user with a feeling of well-being, promotes happiness, and generally enhances attractiveness and overall well-being.

Sun exposure, like many other things, must be carefully dosed and tailored to individual skin type to avoid damage. This is now common knowledge. At the same time, it has been proven that sunlight is vital for the human body and that numerous metabolic processes can be positively influenced by sun exposure.

Friedrich Wolff’s vision was to make sunlight and its beneficial effects available at all times, regardless of location, time of day, or season.

He was convinced of its positive influences on the human organism. He had thoroughly investigated and observed the effects of sunlight on people and concluded – quote: “Moreover, modern people spend a large amount of time indoors and hardly find the time or opportunity to expose their bare skin to the sun. Degenerative conditions such as poor blood circulation in the skin, susceptibility to infections, autonomic nervous system disorders, decreased performance, and sometimes serious illnesses are the consequences. These deficiencies cannot be remedied by drastic measures at the beach. Excessive sunbathing only harms the unaccustomed organism. Regular and well-dosed sun exposure, however, promotes vital processes in the body. (…) Sunlight has a positive influence on the autonomic nervous system. (…) The increase in performance also results from the effect of sunlight on the nervous system. (…) UV light leads to increased resistance to infectious and viral diseases.”¹

Fig 2.

Jörg Wolff, the brother of Friedrich Wolff, founded the company “Cosmedico – Vertrieb kosmetischer und medizinischer Lampen GmbH” (Cosmedico – Distribution of Cosmetic and Medical Lamps Ltd.) and continued the product development of tanning lamps based on the research he had conducted. To this day, the company, now renamed JW Sales GmbH, continues to develop and distribute tanning lamps under the brands Cosmedico, Wolff System, and Isoldelicht worldwide, incorporating the latest research and technology. The parent company, JW Holding GmbH, manages two product lines of UV lamps: 1. Cosmetic tanning lamps to enhance attractiveness and well-being. 2. Medical UV lamps for the treatment of skin diseases that can be alleviated and/or cured through specific UV light treatment.

In 2026, JW Sales GmbH is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cosmedico tanning lamps – the ORIGINAL. Together with their customers and partners worldwide, the company will revisit and share the industry highlights and sunlight stories of the past 50 years. It is the people behind the technology who bring the industry to life and have made the Cosmedico sun accessible worldwide. In 2026, we are celebrating 50 years of Cosmedico sun together – in our hearts and on the sunbed.

Cosmedico sun is light and joy in dark times. Sunlight is good for the body, and the soul needs sunlight to stay bright. As Fyodor Dostoevsky knew: “It is truly amazing what a single ray of sunshine can do for the human soul.”

Cosmedico, YOUR SUN.

Sources:

• Fig. 1: ©JW Sales GmbH, Klafsun sunbed, manufactured around 1978-79.
• Fig. 2: ©JW Sales GmbH, Brothers Jörg Wolff (left) and Friedrich Wolff (right).
• ¹ F. Wolff, Sun, solariums and their effects (1976), pp. 7, 8.