Columbus Globe
Columbus is the most respected manufacturer in the globe industry. Started over 100 years ago by Paul Oestergaard in 1909, the German company has stayed in the family for four generations, all the while maintaining its prestige as the world’s premier globe maker. The business’ headquarters have moved from the original factory in Berlin to the smaller town of Krauchenwies, but the globes' have retained the high quality craftsmanship and visionary innovation Columbus built its reputation on. Among the many advancements Columbus has contributed to the industry is the invention of the DUO and DUORAMA technology, which displays two different maps depending on whether the globe is illuminated or not. The company was also the first to pioneer the use of a mostly-automated manufacturing process to create the world’s first plastic globes. While some of Columbus’ expertly designed models are made from acrylic, the German manufacturer remains the only company in the world that still crafts globes from hand-blown glass. Maps are manually cut and hand-applied to the globes by trained artisans after they undergo up to 24 layers of printing to get the exacting detail and vivid colors Columbus is known for. Then a clear coat of high gloss is applied to the world globe, giving it a radiant sheen. After final inspection by the cartography department, it is ready for retail. When it comes to globes, nothing tops the exceptional German engineering and sophisticated design of Columbus. The company’s stunning and enormous Magnum globes are unparalleled the world over, and Columbus Globes USA is the exclusive importer of the German products in America.
