Take a unique journey through the turbulent 20th century with 200 vintage globes as your guide. In a time of socio-political upheaval and technological revolutions, globe makers had to constantly revise their creations. Globes captured the spirit of the era, from art nouveau to modernism, keeping in step with technological advancements, from plastics to smartphones.

The 200 globes in this book tell a tale of innovation and evolution, in times of war and peace, from
the exhilaration of the Space Race to scientific breakthroughs. Some were made possible thanks to new production methods, while others are exemplary of the trends and styles of their time. Discover how these exquisite and intriguing artefacts, fashioned from folded metal or paper, illuminated glass or molded plastic, are a testament to history and a reflection of our ever-changing society.

Willem Jan Neutelings (1959) is the co-founder of Neutelings Riedijk Architects, known among others for the MAS Museum in Antwerp and the Netherlands Institute of Sound and Vision in Hilversum. He is also an expert globe collector who has conducted extensive research into the design and production of globes during the 20th century. In this book he shares his remarkable collection and fascinating stories of historical events and colorful personalities, documenting the inextricable link between societal transformations and globe design throughout the 20th century.