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International Relations

World leaders look to Berlin for more guidance

German and EU flags

What does the international community expect of Germany during a time of crisis? Should Berlin take the helm and steer the continent or hold back? World leaders discuss this at the Munich Security Conference.

Munich Security Conference looks at global upheaval

Financial crisis is a wake-up call for Europe

International leaders attend Munich Security Conference

Defense

Ramstein Air Base

Missile shield in Germany

The Ramstein Air Base is going to become the headquarters of the NATO missile defense system.

NATO looks at 'Smart Defense' to cut costs

Germany

Two pupils watch the proceedings at the state parliament in Stuttgart

Party's over?

Fed up with party politics, many independent voters are after new forms of political engagement.

Government surveillance of Left party has murky legal basis

Tamil pilgrims in Germany

Tamil refugees in Europe make an annual pilgrimage to the German town of Kevelaer.

On the breadline in Berlin

From couch surfing to dumpster diving, how some young people get by without money in the captial.

People and politics: The political magazine

Under Fire - The Flaws and Failings of Germany’s Domestic Intelligence

Series: Taking Germany’s Pulse

No GM in Germany - Genetically Modified Foods Not Welcome

Culture Column

Scene in Berlin

Goodbye to Berlin's corner pubs

New Mediterranean migrants feel at home in Berlin

Strolling Berlin's Gaza Strip

Germany in focus

Reports from Germany

Cologne's favorite beer makes new friends abroad

Old-style photo booths revived in Berlin

Board game designers on a roll in Germany
  • A plastic world

    The Art of Playmobil

    A plastic world

    The story of these colorful, quirky plastic figures began over thirty years ago. Playmobil was invented by Hans Beck, who aimed to develop a simple, flexible toy that would fit in a child's hand. The figurines made their first appearance at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg back in 1974. Today, Playmobil is one of the most recognizable German brands on the market.

  • From the Wild West...

    The Art of Playmobil

    From the Wild West...

    The first Playmboil sets depicted Native Americans, construction workers and knights. Today you can buy anything from jumbo jets and robots to zoos and hospitals. The company's annual turnover is now over 500 million euros.

  • Blank slate

    The Art of Playmobil

    Blank slate

    Playmobil figurines start life as an unremarkable, white powder. As if by magic, this material will later be molded into the stuff of children's dreams: from individual firefighters and astronauts to complete doll's houses and castles. The material is dyed and melted down to become a dough-like substance before it is pressed into different forms.

  • As if by magic

    The Art of Playmobil

    As if by magic

    In a sprawling factory near the German city of Nuremberg, dozens of machines spew out plastic parts round the clock. These machines produce some 8 million individual plastic pieces every day.

  • Global reach

    The Art of Playmobil

    Global reach

    Playmobil is sold in more than 70 countries. The main market is Europe, but the toys also sell well in North America. The company is hoping for future growth in Eastern Europe and South America. It's planning to invest 80 million euros this year alone.

  • Innocent pleasures

    The Art of Playmobil

    Innocent pleasures

    But efficient production methods aren't enough. Design is the secret of Playmobil's enduring success. The original faces (seen here) were like a child's drawings, with a simple smile and no nose. The idea was that children should give the figurines their own characters. Today the figurines are more realistic and feature detailed decorations - but they still maintain their original basic form.

  • Innovation

    The Art of Playmobil

    Innovation

    Playmobil developers get inspiration for new toys from the roughly 250 letters they receive from children every month. It takes two to three years to bring a new ship or car onto the market. Initially, the team builds a model out of foam. Then they use sophisticated computer software to produce 3D-designs. That's the best way to check whether all the parts really will fit together.

  • Blueprint

    The Art of Playmobil

    Blueprint

    After a year in the design phase, engineers create a mold to press the plastic into the right shapes. Each mold costs between 10,000 and 500,000 euros, so there's no room for mistakes. Another year goes by before enough figures have been produced to start delivering the new product to toy stores.

  • Hands off!

    The Art of Playmobil

    Hands off!

    The firm keeps its treasure trove of molds in the cellars beneath the factory - some 20 meters below the ground, where they are protected from water and fire. Some of them are over 30 years old. The material value of this bounty is estimated at 250 million euros. Unsurprisingly, the cellar is protected like Fort Knox.

Visit Germany

Zugspitze

Alpine winter

This winter, head to the Alps.

Word of the week

Bull's eye

Volltreffer

Learn a funny, quirky German word each week.