40 Years of Playmobil

It´s already months ago that on a very sunny day we went to Speyer in order to visit the Playmobil exhibition there.

The first smiley-faced PLAYMOBIL figures entered the world stage in 1974, at Zirndorf in Bavaria, and since then they and their numerous siblings have achieved cult status. A total of more than 2.7 billion PLAYMOBIL figures now reside in children’s rooms around the world.
But what is PLAYMOBIL’s recipe for success?
Covering a total area of about 2,000 square metres, a large number of very detailed installations on historical and modern day themes – some filling entire rooms – will take fans both old and new on a journey through time. Ten collectors involved in setting up the exhibition will share their passion with visitors.
A walk-in cave, a Roman galley and an enormous PLAYMOBIL cargo ship are just some of the exciting play areas which will invite younger visitors to come and share in the explorations.
Other features will show how artists find inspiration in the unique play system, and how the product design has changed throughout the decades – partially reflecting changes in society. But how is PLAYMOBIL actually made? The exhibition will trace the development of a PLAYMOBIL playset in individual steps, from the initial idea right through to the finished product.

It was really quite interesting to spot some nearly forgotten figures and scenes and there were more than one "Ohh, I remember this!" moments. Another highlight for me was the Roman galley that originally had been put together for the German kids tv program "Die Sendung mit der Maus" and now I could see it live.
Surprisingly not many kids visited the day we went (which was nice, I apologize for being honest ;-)).
It is not the cheapest of exhibition but Speyer is worth the visit too with it´s impressive cathedral so maybe a day out for someone to consider while it is still on!?

Anniversary exhibition at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer
1st December 2013 - 22nd June 2014