June 05, 2004
Ampelmann.de
On my recent trip to Berlin I came across the Ampelmann (traffic light man) shop in the Hackesche Höfe. This shop is dedicated to the green and red traffic men that were introduced in East Germany in 1961. Initially developed by a traffic psychologist, these figures were supposed to have a calming and relaxing influence on all people parting in road traffic.
After the wall fell, it was first decided to scrap the eastern traffic light men for the normed men of the west. After immense protests however by east Germans it was decided to keep the existing lights in place.
If you are in Berlin and decide to visit Hackesche Höfe, I would definitiely recommend to visit the lovely Ampelmann Shop. If not, there is always their Ampelmann online Kollektion (via email ordering service).
Posted by Michael at June 5, 2004 11:34 PM