Took PhD astronomy 1825, had private observatory near Munich. 1826, small workshop business in home. 1832, professor of mathematics & physics at Munich U. 1849-52, worked in telegraph communications, & for ministry of commerce. Founded optical workshop in 1854, business continued by sons Hugo Adolph Steinheil (1832 - 1893), Eduard Steinheil (1830-1878), in 1862 and Adolph's son, Rudolph Steinheil (1865 - 1930) in 1890, owner from 1892