40 Years of PLAYMOBIL
An adventurous journey through time
Anniversary exhibition at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer
Extended until the 2nd of november 2014
Until july 2014 the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer, Germany will be celebrating a very special anniversary: PLAYMOBIL’s 40th birthday! 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? The “40 Years of PLAYMOBIL” exhibition to be held at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate until the 2nd of november 2014 will explore the phenomenon.
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. What does the original material look like? How is a PLAYMOBIL figure pieced together? This and many other mysteries will be revealed from December onwards at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate – and what’s more, one of PLAYMOBIL’s injection moulding machines will be on the spot to produce a souvenir for every visitor!
An extensive programme of further highlights for young and old is planned for the anniversary year of 2014. What is more, the Historical Museum of the Palatinate will have its first ever app to accompany an exhibition – available for iOS and Android.