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does the fact that Germany is right smack in the middle of Europe between Eastern European powers that can supply cheap (EDIT: and skilled, looking for better universities or opportunities) labor and Western/Northern European markets that can afford their goods have anything to do with this?

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Not really. Historically (especially in the massive growth period after WW2 and before the reunification) the largest influx of immigrant workers came from countries like Italy and Turkey. A large number of seasonal workers these days come from Eastern Europe but that doesn't explain the decades prior.

Historically (since about the 1700s) didn't large numbers of Europeans from all over the continent go there for the conveniently located scientific community and trade crossroads?

Germany didn't really exist as a nation until 1815 so I'm not sure what you're arguing. Also the Eastern borders of Germany changed a lot until 1990.

Also the current economic situation of Eastern Europe has likely more to do with the failure of the Soviet Union than with whatever happened in the 1700s.

Not really as that only represents time since the Berlin Wall fell.

Whilst the flood of cheap labour is of course an important factor since then... the companies being talked about established themselves long before the borders were opened.

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