In the early years of the 20th century, experimental phonetics was thriving in Germany. Several laboratories were established within a relatively short period of time. However, the development was disrupted by the two World Wars. This contribution focuses on the situation before WWII and attempts to reconstruct the factors which contributed to the rise of experimental phonetics in Germany. Its beginnings are rooted in the 19th century to developments in the scientific realm but also to political developments such as Germany becoming a colonial power. This contribution does not only cover the well-known laboratories in Hamburg and Bonn, but also the lesser-known ones in Marburg and Berlin. It discusses equipment, publication channels, and conferences which can be regarded as precursors of the ICPhS format. Furthermore, the relationship between the various German laboratory heads is explored. Depending on the different areas of interest among those in charge of the laboratories, alliances and cooperations were established, but there was also rivalry and animosity extending well beyond professional disagreement. This rivalry was most explicit between Hamburg and Bonn. It is illustrated by sources from the 1920s and 1930s.