Margarete Steiff, a Short Biography Part 2

Margaret Steiff, A Short Biography Part 2

As a young adult Margarete Steiff had started a dressmaking company with her two older sisters. This was started in a converted study on the ground floor of the family home. After her two older sisters married, she was the only Steiff still dressmaking. A manufacturer at a local felt factory Wilhelm Adolf Glatz married into the Steiff family and employed Margarete. This family connection allowed her to still work from her home and employ assistants to replace her two sisters. Wilhelm Glatz was a distinguished businessman, who is credited with encouraging Margarete to run her own business.

Wilhelm and Margarete Steiff were a successful combination as the felt produced at Wilhelm's factory was used to create ladies petticoats and children's coats. Sales increased year on year. This transformed the first floor of the Steiff family home into a little factory.

Over the years Margarete's brother Fritz Steiff became father to six sons and of course Margarete was the favourite Aunt. 

Members of the Steiff family have always noted the special relationships Margarete created with the children of her family. She seemed to have a gift for using humour to make children more at ease. This family atmosphere permeated throughout the little factory and the Steiff home. It has been noted that working there was like working with your best friends. 

In 1880 the story of Steiff as a company really began. Margarete Steiff herself noticed a felt elephant in a fashion magazine and decided to make eight to give as Christmas presents. These were of course extremely beautiful and were gratefully received by all 8 recipients.

These hand made felt elephants soon became the talk of the factory floor. Everyone wanted one of Margarete's little creations. This prompted the elephant to become a stock item at the factory. Elephants were created whenever demand for dressed left sufficient time.

Margarete's brother Fritz Steiff came up with an idea to sell them at the market in Heidenheim, two sacks of the animals were sent with him to use in this experiment.

Soft toy animals had never been invented at this point, thus they were an instant success and completely sold out. 

As Margarete clearly had a talent for design as well as production, she was asked to create other soft toy animals. She created a kitten, lifelike dogs and a little pink pig. The Steiff family workshop became a "factory for felt articles and toys".

Fritz Steiff continued to be the one to inspire his sister to create new and innovative designs. He arranged to exhibit the first Steiff articles  in a display of export samples in Stuttgart in 1883. Every year the business expanded rapidly prompting new designs and new models. This little company quickly became more important to Margarete and Fritz than the dressmaking. To give an example of the rapid growth Margarete invested 1460 marks for felt in 1886, 3700 marks in 1888 and 5070 marks in 1890.

Fritz Steiff took over his fathers building company in 1888 and soon persuaded Margarete to move from her cramped little factory in the Steiff home into a house with business premises purpose built to her requirements.

It had living space on the second floor where Margarete could see outside due to a large bay window. the soft felt toys were sold in the corner shop on the ground floor with its two display windows.

The firm that came to be called Steiff continued its positive growth for the years that followed. The first catalogue was produced in 1892. By this time the small felt animals which had originally only been elephants were not monkeys, a donkey, a camel, a horse, a mouse, a pig, a cat, a dog, a giraffe and a rabbit as well as elephants.

This small soft toy manufacturer was first entered in the commercial register as "Margarete Steiff, Filzwarenfabrik Giengen/Brenz" [Margarete Steiff, Felt goods factory Giengen/Brenz] on the 3rd March 1893.

Margarete worked on her passion with an iron will. In 1894 she was invited to St Gallen by a major toy dealer. Shortly afterwards, order started coming in from all over Germany. From Berlin to Rothenburg, and then from abroad.

When her brothers six sons reached adulthood she asked each of them to join the company. 5 of them were willing to do so and initially learned professions that suited their respective inclinations - designer, engineers and management experts. This was now truly a family run and managed business.

Leading up to Margaretes Death

The first representative began to present samples of Steiff products in 1894/95 - in addition to the goods produced by another company. The animals were also among those sold in Berlin businesses. Richard Steiff, Fritz's second oldest son, joined the company in 1897.

Richard Steiff had always been close to his Aunt from childhood. He fitted in perfectly with the whole operation, he combined genuine business acumen with high levels of creativity. He had attended art school in Stuttgart before going to university in England. 

Accompanied by another member of staff, Richard Steiff represented Steiff at the Leipzig trade fair, at the time the turn over of the company was 90000 marks.

Richards brothers, Franz, Otto, Hugo and Paul, then joined Steiff one after the other with varying responsibilities from sales to manufacturing technology. Margarete still kept track of the company as a whole.

Margarete left nothing to chance. Steiff was her company and her reputation. She made herself personally responsible for reviewing work routines, motivation and quality control. At this point she still made most of the prototypes herself and was extremely critical of the products that Steiff produced. This is part of how Steiff became the symbol of quality in the soft toy industry.

Margarete was well aware that her soft toy animals were sold for the purpose of entertaining children thus she imposed stringent requirements on the quality of products. Her motto was always "The best is just good enough for our children".

Correspondingly only the best, highest quality materials were used. Animals were initially stuffed with sheep's wool, which was then replaced with wood shavings in the 1890's.

Even in the first Steiff catalogue the filling material was described as "soft, light and pure" (no animal hair, sawdust or cork waste). The Steiff soft toy animals were first introduced to Europe and then America.

Unfortunately for Margarete her beloved brother Fritz Steiff passed away in 1900, after this it was her relationship with her nephews that gave her the strength to drive the business forward. Richard in particular introduced many new products and came up with lots of ideas for increased production and quality, though Margarete still made most of the models herself.

Steiff was such a success that the factory was moved in 1903 to a two-storey building made almost entirely from concrete and glass with a ramp for easy wheelchair access to the second floor. Margaret was driven to the factory every day. She checked the products and colours. She applied finishing touches with a spray gun and went to see the employees who stuffed and stitched the animals. Her dedication was always absolute.

In 1902, Richard Steiff developed a new type of soft toy; with jointed arms and legs and proper fur made from mohair plush and glass eyes. At first Margarete questioned whether there was a market for relatively expensive animals, she also originally considered bears a bit ungainly.

This was a huge risk for Steiff as this teddy bear was much more expensive than the other animals and if the bear did not sell its production and stock would have cost Steiff a fortune and damaged the company.

In spite of Margaretes reservations she allowed Richard Steiff to persuade her and the bear was produced, though without success initially. They were first displayed at the Leipzig trade fair when an American bought all 3000 of them at last minute.

Bear PB became a smash hit at the World Exhibition in St. Louis. 12000 bears were sold, Margarete and Richard each received a gold medal and the Grand Prix – the highest prize possible – was awarded to the company.

Production increased to 1.7 million toy animals between 1903 and 1907. Steiff now had 400 workers on premises and 1800 women working from home. The Jointed bear set off on his march of conquest in America. Later he was named “teddy bear” by US president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt in 1906.

In 1907 competition soon necessitated the implementation of new measures. Nobody wanted to become involved in a price war and the Steiff family started looking ways to let people know when they were buying a Steiff bear and not a lesser imitation.

Franz Steiff came up with the idea of riveting a button to one ear of each animal. The “Button in Ear” was born. This is the trademark of a real Steiff animal today, over 100 years later.

Steiff hit hard times in 1908 as the American economy became under pressure. Orders were cancelled and large quantities of finished bears were turned away.

Margarete went through the upswing and the crisis full of activity. She was growing noticeably wear, though, and could often be seen sitting at her window, watching the comings and goings in the company from there. She seemed to know that her life was coming to an end.

Margarete Steiff was just 61 years old when she dies on 9^th April 1909. What had originally seemed to be a hopeless life became a shining example of what can be achieved with courage, strength, willpower and most of all heart.

The Steiff family, the staff and the people of Giengen found it difficult to get over her death.

Steiff the company continued on without her right through to today. They are an example to company the world over who are trying to create quality items.

Why Buy a Globe?

Buy a Globe

Deciding to buy a globe as a gift for yourself or someone else is an excellent decision. There is really no substitute for the 3 dimensional replica of our earth. Buy a globe for anyone you know who shares your world view. Globes also make excellent anniversary and christening gifts.

"A GLOBE IN EVERY HOME" 

JustGlobes presents the UK's best selection of globes. We believe that a globe is the perfect gift and that a globe given as a gift will be treasured for decades. Many of our customers have often had one themselves for 20 years or more and think that it is such an integral part of their home that their friend or relative should also have one.

BUY A GLOBE BY SIZE 

Globes are measured by diameter, meaning the distance straight through the middle of the globe. Most globes are manufactured in standard sizes:
Small Globes: 9"
Medium Desk Globes: 12" and 13" (a couple of 16" models available)
Medium Floor Globes 12" and 13"
Large Globes: 16"
Extra Large Globes: 20", 25", 32" and 40"

BUY A GLOBE THAT IS ILLUMINATED OR NOT?

Illuminated globes allow a lovely, ambient light to radiate softly from the globe. A lit illuminated globe makes a beautiful night light in any room or provides mood lighting for a romantic night in.
Illuminated globe balls are made of vinyl, so that the light can show through the translucent sphere, this is usually a much better material than glass as its lower refractive index and purer transparency provides a better passage for light to pass through it. A couple of glass models are manufactured, one is called the Black Forest and the other is called the Bremen. They are made from extra thick glass to decrease fragility. They are stunning to look but are high end products that may need to be made to order.
Illuminated globes do include an electrical cord that will plug into the wall. This will dictate where you place the globe (near an outlet) and will restrict the movement or spinning action of the globe to a certain extent. All illuminated globes currently on the market are mains powered. In the near future battery powered models may become available.

BUY A GLOBE THAT IS POLITICAL

Political globes are globes that feature countries in solid blocks of color, usually with extensive labeling. Most of our globes are considered political. the advantage of political globes is that they clearly and accurately display the country boundaries. This is popular as the main reason for many people wanting a globe is so that they can clearly see where each country is, where it ends and begins. this yields secondary advantages. Political maps as described above feature countries in a multitude of different colours so that each country can be differentiated from its neighbours. This produces more vibrant and often more colourful cartography.

BUY A GLOBE THAT IS PHYSICAL 

Physical globes use color to illustrate the natural colors of the earth. Climate conditions and landforms are shown with colouration. This greatly enhances features such as forests, deserts and mountainous regions. This is viewed by many customers as a more natural view of the Earth. Physical mapping appeals to being more interested in the Earth geographically. Non illuminated physical globes for example the Atlantis feature impressive raised relief, where ocean depths appear as grooves on the surface of the globe and mountains appear as bumps on the surface. Illuminated physical globes usually have a dual mapping feature so that when the globe is non illuminated it is physical but once illuminated all the countries light up in different colours.

BUY A GLOBE THAT HAS A BLUE OCEAN

Most people think of the earth with oceans of blue. Of course in real life oceans only appear blue as a reflection of the sky, nonetheless this is our perception of ocean and sea colour.
We recommend blue ocean globes for kids and students predominantly as they help nurture a geographic understanding that is needed for school. In very large floorstanding globes a blue ocean also looks extremely impressive visually. Blue ocean globes are typically more educationally oriented. For example the Pioneer is an exception children's globe, with the same level of detail as an adults globe and full gyroscopic rotation, so that all parts of the globe a more easily viewed.

BUY A GLOBE THAT HAS AN ANTIQUE OCEAN

Antique oceans refer to the colour of kraft paper which results in an antique look to the globe. These globes feature current cartography and are brown in colour. Antique ocean globes are most popular for home and office décor as they integrate more easily into an environment without standing out. Antique ocean globes, especially desktop models are often more attractive as furniture pieces than blue ocean models. Antique ocean models feature the same amount of detail as a blue ocean globe but are much more oriented towards looking visually presentable than to encourage education. Antique ocean desktop globes are often slightly more expensive than blue ocean globes because of their use as furniture items. The Exeter for example is an extremely popular desktop globe. It has many advantages. The antique colour and styling make it a very attractive office or home addition, it has raised mountainous regions. The Exeter like many antique style globes features a solid hardwood base, stained a walnut colour and a champagne style, high quality metal meridian (that will never rust) as well as over 4000 place names. Globes like the Exeter make antique ocean globes the most popular at JustGlobes.
 
BUY A GLOBE WITH RAISED RELIEF

Raised relief globes feature texture on the globes surface to indicate the earths terrain. Mountain ranges and sometimes under sea features as well are presented in raised and indented relief. Most non illuminated globes on JustGlobes.co.uk have this often essential feature as well as some select illuminated globes. Such illuminated globes are well sought after for example the Carlyle and the Livingston. 


BUY A GEMSTONE GLOBE

Gemstone Globes have become a highly prized gift item, featuring globes made entirely of gemstones. Oceans of ground Blue Lapis lazuli, Black agate, Mother of pearl and others surround continents that consist of hand-carved gemstone countries. The gemstone countries are fitted with skill and precision, creating a colourful and fascinating mosaic.
A wonderfully rich and extravagant gift for someone who means the world to you.

BUY A REPRODUCTION GLOBE

Popular for use in home or office décor, Old World Globes feature historic cartographic reproductions in a variety of sizes.
Ideal gifts for anyone interested in history.
Charming accents for any setting.

BUY AN OLD WORLD BAR GLOBE

Beautiful reproduction cartography, combined with a functional cabinet for bottles and glasses.
Great for entertaining, providing a dramatic focal point for any gathering.

BUY A GLOBE ONLINE

Choose from a wide selection of globes without leaving your home.
A globe makes an ideal gift and there's a globe for everyone at www.JustGlobes.co.uk

Replogle World Globes

Replogle Globes

Replogle Globes have been making globes since the 1920's.  Recognized as the world's leading manufacturers of world globes, Replogle World Globes has a well-earned reputation for its constant production and innovation of world globes.
From its humble beginning in a Chicago apartment, Replogle World Globes today is the worlds leader in globe production.  From handcrafted masterpieces in the offices of presidents and dignitaries to classroom models that help students understand their world, their belief in the globe as a source of wonder hasn't changed.

To deliver globes to an ever broader audience.  That was the vision of Luther Replogle in 1930, and this continues to be Replogle's mission to this day.  Replogle World Globes believe that the appeal of a globe is deeper than its value as a learning tool or home accessory.  Luther Replogle knew this from the beginning.  As a school supply salesman, he took a special interest in globes, believing he could successfully market them to a broader audience.

He was right!  What began with hand-assembled globes sold from a Chicago apartment (with maps sourced from England!!!!!!!!, no less) grew into what you might call a global empire, Behind the rallying cry, "A Globe in Every Home, " Replogle World Globes facilitated the globe's migration from the classroom to the living room.  In 1963, Replogle co-founded Scanglobe of Denmark, going on to purchase the globe manufacturer's remaining interest in 1988 and moving its operations to the USA in 2003.

Replogle is the world's leading globe manufacturer, based in a 260,000 square foot facility near Chicago - but some things haven't changed much since 1930.  Many Replogle Globes are still painstakingly hand-made by artisans who have spent the better part of their lives with the company.  This is indicative of a commitment to quality, a commitment to doing things the right way, and, most importantly, a commitment to the globe itself. It is for the above reasons that Replogle World globes that are floorstanding like the Diplomat for example are  simply without equal, the quality of the wooden furniture produced at Replogle World globes is a world away from all other Globe manufacturers.

It's exactly what Luther Replogle had in mind.

REPLOGLE GLOBES HISTORY

In 1930, as 122 million citizens of the United States brace themselves for what will become known as the Great Depression, experienced all over the world. From the US to Germany and the UK. Luther Replogle, along with his wife, Elizabeth, begin assembling globes in their Chicago apartment.  Luther's idea -"A Globe in Every Home" flies in the face of the dwindling economy, not to mention logic itself.

Luther Replogle believed that the globe was too valuable, too beautiful to be forever relegated to classroom duty.  Where he got this idea is anyone's guess.  When Luther Replogle wasn't making sales calls for a school supply company, he spent his time in the Weber Costello plant, watching globe-makers at work, paying particular attention as they pasted hand-cut map gores to molded hemispheres.

Luther Replogle's interest in globes paid off.  And in a constantly changing, seemingly shrinking world, his vision is more relevant today than ever.  In 1930, Luther Replogle thought that a globe might help people make sense of their world.  There were floods in the Mississippi River Delta, Fascism on the rise in Europe, Lindbergh attempting to fly across the Atlantic.  Much was going on.  The world was a big stage.  It still is. Today countries in the middle east, as well as north Korea are a topic of interest in households all over the western world. Because of this globes are more popular now than ever before.

REPLOGLE GLOBES CARTOGRAPHY

The maps on all Replogle World Globes have nations, colonies, possessions, boundary lines, and place names as officially approved by the United States Government.  Maintenance of the content of these maps requires frequent communication with the U.S. Department of State, theU.S. Board of Geographic Names, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency.

In addition to these sources, Replogle World Globes communicates with embassies of other nations in Washington D.C. and foreign consulate offices in Chicago, for help with new changes in boundaries and names.

Visit Replogle Globes:  www.replogleglobes.com

Thanks to Replogle Globes for providing the above information.

Interactive Globes

Interactive Globes


Here at JustGlobes there is only one interactive globe that we deem of high enough quality to feature on the website, the Intelliglobe by Replogle World Globes.

The Intelliglobe is the first interactive globe from Replogle World Globes, the worlds premium globe manufacturer. It is simply the highest quality interactive globe available the world over. when comparing it even visually to other interactive globes it surpasses in every way.

The Intelliglobe is the educational and entertaining globe that contains geography and general information that is truly interesting, useful, and thought provoking. Touch the wireless Intellipen™ to the globe to play games and explore amazing facts about the world.  The wireless Intellipen™ that is included with this interactive desktop globe features 1GB of easily updatable memory and plays spoken audio in 4 languages: English, Spanish, French and German. The included 48-page World Discovery Book features maps, world flags, landmarks, animals, dinosaurs, foods, explorers, moon maps, sky maps, and more!

How to Use Your Intelliglobe:  The Intelliglobe™ uses an infrared scanner to "read" microscopic symbols on the globe and World Discovery Book (also included with this interactive globe). Touch the wireless Intellipen™ to the globe or book to play games, explore, and discover amazing educational facts about the world. The Intelliglobe™ is the most advanced globe featuring thousands of facts in 4 different languages: English, Spanish, French & German. Information for the Intelliglobe™ can be updated through the Replogle Globes website.

Explore Features:  To learn about a city, country or area using this interactive globe, use the tip of the pen to touch one of the Explore categories on the feature panel (located on base), and then point your Intellipen™ to a place on the globe. Touch different categories to learn more exciting information about the world. Explore Features include:  Geography  - Cities+  -  Countries & Territories+  -  States & Provinces  -  Population*  -  Music+  -  Language Spoken+  -  History+  -  National Government+  -  Life Expectancy  -  Economics+  -  Geology+  -  Currency  -  Climate+  -  Area in Square Miles+  -  Ecology+  -  Area in Square Kilometers  -  Current Time

* City Population includes greater metropolitan area.  + sign indicates that there are multiple pieces of information available under that feature. Touch the pen multiple times to desired areas to hear additional bonus audio. For example, in history mode you can touch each country three different times to find out three different facts about the country.

Compare Features:  To compare information between two places, touch two locations on the globe one after the other.  Compare Features include:  Distance  -  Flying time  - Population -  Area  - Life Expectancy

Games:  The Intelliglobe™ offers a number of different games you can play.  To play Find Games, touch one of the find categories with your Intellipen™. The Intellipen™ will tell you to find a certain location on the map. Find the locations as quickly as possible to obtain the best score before the time runs out.  Find games include:  Find Continents  - Find Countries  - Find Cities  - Find Waterways  - Find Locations and Landmarks. This can be a very challenging game to play even for some geographically challenged adults.

To play Trivia Challenge, touch the Trivia Challenge category. The Intellipen™ will ask you 10 random trivia questions. Touch the proper location on the globe for each question. Try to achieve a perfect score of 10 correct answers.

To play Multiple Choice Challenge, touch the Multiple Choice Trivia Challenge category. Test your knowledge. To answer the question, touch the A, B, C or D button or a place on the globe. Try to achieve a perfect score of 10 correct answers.

Facts:  Touch the pen of this interactive globe to the Earth facts and Amazing facts category found on the base to learn interesting & amazing facts about the world we live in. Facts such as, "The coldest temperature on record, -128.6° F (or -89.2° C), occurred in 1983 at Vostok Station, Antarctica and the hottest temperature on record, 136° F (or 57,7° C), occurred in 1922 in El Azizia, Libya."

Making a Globe/ Why Paper is Best

At JustGlobes we sell all types of globes, from illuminated globes to floorstanding globes. Different globes have different print quality in terms of the resolution of the countries (how accurate and fine the country borders are etc).

This page aims to explain how the paper that forms the maps of the highest quality globes lays onto the map and how this creates the superior print quality that we outline in several of our globe descriptions.

The clear difference between maps and globes is that globes are spherical whereas maps are flat. You might say "so what? Globes are simply a map rolled around a sphere". This is incorrect as seen in the picture below the map needed to cover a globe is not rectangular like a map.

In order for maps to be created in the form that they currently take (as seen on the world maps section of our website) the gaps on the image above must be filled. The act of changing the cartography from globes into maps causes slight distortion both directionally and spatially. Technology has been created to greatly minimise these negative effects but the cartography on a map will still prove to be of lower resolution than a globe.

The above text shows why we believe that globes are better in terms of cartography than maps but the same distortion problem can occur in globes.

To explain this problem we must fist explain the differences between for example, an illuminated desktop globe and non illuminated desktop globes.

Illuminated globes have their cartography printed onto plastic which is then stretched over the globe ball. This produces the same distortion effects that plague maps. This is not always the case and any member of staff at JustGlobes can advise which illuminated globes to purchase for minimal distortion effects.

Non illuminated globes use kraft paper gores, this is the material used to make the cartography and mapping in the picture above. This is an extremely high quality material made from soft wood pulp. It is a very smooth surface compared to regular printing paper and has a much high strength. These gores are layed over the fibreboard ball in order to make the globe. This is why some lines maybe slightly out of alignment on the ball. The difference produced by this process is zero distortion of countries. In other words on a non illuminated globe what you see is what there is!

The Heirloom collection of globes at JustGlobes features illuminated globes that have had translucent paper gores layered over their balls surface. This also gives no distortion but it is a very expensive process only available on the 20" or large globe balls.

How To Use your Globe

Using your globe

Finding places on your globe

Although a globe is round, with no beginning or end, there are two main reference lines from which all distances and locations are calculated. One is the equator, running east and west around the middle of the globe, dividing it into two equal halves. The other is the prime meridian, an imaginary line running from pole to pole and cutting through Greenwich, a section of London, England. Both of these lines are 0º and the globe numbering system starts at the point where they intersect.

All lines running east and west, parallel to the equator, are called latitude lines. They are sometimes referred to as parallels because they are parallel to each other. Latitude lines are shown at 15º intervals north and south of the equator. Look at New Orleans on your globe and you will find it located at 0º. Since it is north of the equator, we say it is 0º north latitude, or 0N.

The lines running north and south from pole to pole are called longitude lines, sometimes referred to as meridians. Longitude lines are numbered along the equator on your globe at 15º intervals east and west of the prime meridian at Greenwich. Again using New Orleans as an example, we find it located at 90º or 90º west of 0º longitude. Thus, New Orleans is located at 0N latitude and 90W longitude.

Remember, latitude lines go from 0º at the equator to 90º at the poles. Longitude lines go from 0º at the prime meridian to 180º, a point on the exact opposite side of the globe. In giving a position, latitude is always stated first.

Lines of latitude and longitude appear on your globe only at certain intervals; otherwise, they would cover up all other map detail.

Seeing the world on a globe

People have been slow to accept the concept of a spherical world, yet the ancient Greeks knew the Earth was round. The Greek historian Strabo wrote of a world globe ten feet in diameter made by Crates of Mallus and exhibited in 150 B.C.

Thus, for centuries, men have known the shape of Earth, but most visualized it only as the small, flat area that embraced their everyday lives.

Today, however, we live in a global community, and the globe has become the map of our modern world. And exploration in outer space with manned and unmanned satellites has brought home graphically the roundness of our Earth and its place in the universe.

One of the basic uses of your globe is to find places–cities, nations, land and water areas–just as easily as you can find the busiest street corner in your home town. Finding a place is not enough, however, unless you see it in its true geographical relationship to the rest of the world or, in other words, see those countries which are its neighbours and the true distances and directions between them.

The question “Where is it?” is answered best by using a globe, for only on a globe are distances, directions, sizes and shapes of countries, and their relationship to each other–all correct! Seeing the true geographical relationships of all nations on this round replica of our world increases our understanding of their economic, social and political status, as well as their interdependence. It has been said that wider use of the globe among all peoples of Earth could be a powerful instrument for peace.

Your globe will dispel any misconceptions about distances and directions obtained from studying flat maps. Looking straight down at the north pole, you see that ours is largely a northern world. Many great nations form a circle around the pole–Japan, China, Russia, the Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States. Today, the Arctic has become a busy intersection for planes following the shortest routes between major cities of the world.

Not only is your globe a true guide to our modern world; its usefulness extends to many other areas of learning. It illuminates the pages of history, makes events in today’s world more significant, and enriches our understanding of the sciences, including the exciting new sciences of inner and outer space.

Learning the uses of your globe from the pages that follow will assist you toward its fullest enjoyment.

The International Date Line

You will find the International Date Line along the 180º meridian in the Pacific Ocean on your globe. It is half way around the world from Greenwich. When it is noon in Greenwich, it is midnight on the International Date Line, and it is there that a new day is born.

Since we gain or lose an hour every 15º we travel east or west of Greenwich, if we were to travel completely around the world, we would lose or gain an entire day. The International Date Line is the place internationally agreed upon at which the loss or gain of a day takes place.

There are a few jogs in the date line. In order that the eastern tip of Siberia may have the same date as the rest of Russia and the Aleutian Islands may have the same date as Alaska, the date line jogs away from the 180º meridian to avoid these points.

On a flight from Tokyo to San Francisco, a traveler who had started his dinner on Sunday would finish it across the date line on Saturday—the day preceding! When it is noon, Sunday, January 1, on the west side of the line, it is noon, Saturday, December 1, on the east side. Going west you advance a day; going east you go back a day.

Only at the stroke of midnight on the International Date Line is a day the same all over the world. A moment later, there are two days going on at the same time. When Tuesday has arrived at the International Date Line, it is still Monday over the rest of the world. The new day moves westward.

When a day is six hours old, it has traveled one-quarter of the way around the world. Then one-quarter of the world is having Tuesday and the other three-quarters are having Monday. Six hours later, the new day is half way around the world and in another six hours, three-quarters of the way. Finally, it approaches the date line again and another new day, Wednesday, is born.

Measuring in degrees

Thousands of years ago, the Babylonians invented the system of dividing up a circle that cartographers use today. The distance around your globe, or any sphere or circle regardless of its size, is measured by dividing it into 60 sections called degrees, and each degree represents a fraction of the complete globe.

Angular distance is a term sometimes used in describing the location of a place on the globe. On the preceding page, we located New Orleans at 0º N latitude because, as shown in the illustration, a radius or line drawn from New Orleans to the centre of Earth forms a 0º angle with one drawn from the equator to the centre. Similarly, a radius drawn from the prime meridian at the equator to Earth’s centre forms a 90º angle with one drawn from the New Orleans meridian to the centre. This locates the city 90º west of the 0º meridian. Because Earth’s area is so great that 1º can equal as much as 69.17 miles, the degree is broken down into smaller parts for more exact measurements such as those required for navigation. Each degree can be divided into 60 equal parts called minutes (´), and each minute can be further divided into 60 parts called seconds (˝).

Even the tiny second can be divided into decimals for greater accuracy, making it possible to pinpoint any place on the face of Earth, no matter how small. A single house in New Orleans, for instance, might be located at 0º 7´ 14.085˝ N and 90º 4´ 1.55˝ W.

Bar Globes

After starting this blog yesterday we thought we would spend a few days writing about all the different type of globes that we sell.

Bar globes or globe drinks cabinets have become extremely fashionable over the past 5 years. At JustGlobes we sell more and more every year.

All the bar globe models available at www.justglobes.co.uk are manufactured in Italy. Every model is hand machined and finished making each bar globe slightly different.

There are many advantages to having products from the most style conscious country in the world. Perhaps the main advantage is that the styles change all year round depending on season and new fashion. For example the product above is featured on our site and is called the Raleigh bar globe. The style of this globe recently changed so that the print on the underside of the globe ball is no longer there. Instead the inside of the globe ball is a brown finished vinyl. This change made the brown finish where the drinks are stored on the inside of the globe ball match the top of the globe ball.

This constant improvement and change is a great feature of a bar globe. This is not the only part that changes over time. The graphics on the base of the drinks cabinet change frequently according to the styles or fashion at the time in Italy.

Each floorstanding bar globe on www.justglobes.co.uk features solid hardwood legs. These are made from beach wood, which is a fabulous material as it can be sourced sustainably limiting the environmental impact of the bar globes. All other wooden parts are veneered wood in order to protect the globe from any spills of spirits stored in the globe.

Globe drinks cabinets come in 3 different sizes to suit all space and budget requirements. 40cm, 50cm and 60cm.

The mapping on bar globes is from 17th century german cartography which perfectly compliments the style and antique look and design of these drinks globes.

Drinks cabinet globes can have storage for up to 12 bottles and 16 glasses if you include specially allocated storage space above the base, making them large enough for most storage requirements.

We are the bar globe experts. We will happily answer any questions or obtain any information about any of our models.

JustGlobes first Blog post!

Hi, We are JustGlobes, the UK's leading retailer for world globes.

We are a family run business and have been trading since 2005. For our first blog entry we thought we would write a little about our history.

As a family we have always been fascinated in geography. When children were studying history or geography at school we would always try and think where for example, the Titanic sank, Iraq and Iran were and where other places were that we had heard about on the news.

We found that in shops globes were a scarce commodity, certainly missing from most high streets apart from the odd children's globe here or there that fell apart after a month or was impossible to read due to blurry writing. Even online, no one was really selling what we thought were high quality items that one might actually have in their home or office.

It was for the above reasons that we decided to start www.JustGlobes.co.uk, a website that specialised totally in world globes and later, world maps so that people had an easy, well priced way of getting a high quality item to almost anywhere in Europe.

We started off by only offering our customers Replogle World Globes to purchase. This is because Replogle globes have a 75 year history of supplying the worlds finest globes. From illuminated children's globes that work as great night lights to gigantic floorstanding globes that sit in the oval office of the president of the United States. This range has something for almost everyone and is well priced.

After a successful couple of years we began introducing gemstone globes and bar globes into our range. 

Today we are proud to be the UK's largest retailer of world globes, we are sure that no matter what your requirements maybe we will be able to help.