In 1936, Hitler’s SchutzStaffel (SS) formed a joint-company with the inventor, using his name – Anton Loibl GmbH – sometimes shortened to ToLo. With SS help, Loibl applied for and received a patent for his bicycle reflector design. In his capacity as police chief of the Reich, Himmler then issued a new ordinance on road traffic, in November 1937, that made these bicycle reflectors mandatory for all bicycles on German roads.
The SS company would oversee the marketing of Loibl’s invention and use part of the revenue to fuel Himmler’s research projects.