Ampleman on the Go

Now that the Ampelmann has been "saved", it is now time to see the world! Along the way, he'd appreciate having his picture taken at a traffic light...kind of reminds him of home.

I picked up this little fellow on a recent trip to Berlin. He is an Ampelmann or Trafic Light Man. He comes from the former East Berlin.

Berlin can be characterized by many symbols, from the Berlin Bear to the distinctive profile of the Brandenburg Gate. However, few symbols can adequately express the feelings of change felt by former East-Berliners, than the self-assured pedestrian traffic light man.

Designed by Karl Peglau in 1969, the East-Berlin Ampelmann, or as he was fondly known, the “Ampelmännchen”, was in danger of becoming another casualty of history. The post-unification bureaucracy of Germany decided to replace all pedestrian traffic light symbols in East-Berlin with the same lights as those used in the West. The citizens of the former East Berlin were beginning to realize that everything was being changed; currency, names of streets, even the typography used on the signs.

So this humble little character became the rally cry for East Berliners wishing to protect something of their past, in fact to preserve their own identity. Politicians, television stations and newspapers took up the cause, until finally it was agreed that the East Berlin Ampelmann would stay.

Many Berliners, East and West became captivated by this diminutive character. "He strides with a sense of purpose and looks very dapper with his distinctive hat", says Markus Heckhausen, the founder and owner of the Ampelmann Galerie-Shop. Markus also became involved in the fight to preserve the Ampelmann and with his background in Industrial Design, decided to design a lamp based on the Ampelmann.

To celebrate 40 years of Ampelmann, Markus put together an exhibition with Karl Peglau. Markus was so inspired and encouraged by the enthusiasm for his design that the Gallery transformed into Gallery, Shop, Production and design centre for the New Berlin Icon.

You can visit the ampelmann website at:
www.ampelmann.de

For a further glimpse of the nostalgia for the former East Germany and East Berlin, rent the movie "Good Bye Lenin".