Ampelmann, joyful resistance in Berlin

Character of everyday life that we ended up forgotten in France, the "little guy from circulation," red or green, has nevertheless a story, especially in Berlin. Indeed, the inevitable "Ampelmann" or "Man-bulb" has become a hallmark of the capital in the world. 

Created in 1961 by Karl Peglau, "traffic psychologist" (Verkehrspsychologe) mascot is responsible for a mission: reduce hazards to traffic in East Berlin. For this, the author gave it the most expressive features than conventional light signals for pedestrians, thinking that users would be more respective to the message. Thus the Ampelmännchen spread, first in East Berlin and throughout East Germany. 

However, after the Wall fell, the little man began to be replaced by conventional pedestrian signals of the west, following the goal of standardization of German politicians who want no more of the symbols of the East. But it was not counting on the popularity of the little green man! Become a mascot Ostalgie, nostalgia for East Germany, ill able to raise the masses against his replacement. Markus Heckhausen, designer, in 1995 made ​​him popular in the media by creating objects using it in an artistic framework. 

Thus, in 2001 appears the first store dedicated to Ampelmann in Hackescher Hofe (S-Bahn Hackescher Markt). Meanwhile, others appear throughout the city, as Potsdamer Platz (Arkaden) and Unter den Linden. In 2004 the concept was even declined with Ampelweibchen, female version of Ampelmann that may be encountered in Dresden.

Ampelmann Galerie

www.ampelmann.de

Hackesche Höfe, Hof 5