Ernst Gundlach (1834–1908)[1] was a German-American inventor specialising in the design of optical instruments.

[2] At the age of 15, he was apprenticed to Carl Friedrich Lewert in Berlin, Germany to learn how to make optical instruments.

After four years, having served his apprenticeship he worked in various workshops in Austria, France and England.

His first firm, the Gundlach Optical Company was established in Rochester, New York.

In 1904, Gundlach returned to Berlin, where he once again founded a business.