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Made in Germany

Friday, August 23rd, 2013

Did you know that the familiar “Made in Germany” trademark is not a German invention? It is a British idea. On 23 August 1887 – 126 years ago today – The United Kingdom passed a law, called the Merchandise Marks Act. This law required the labeling of all products of foreign origin. At a time when British industry dominated world market, its government wanted to reduce foreign competition. The new law required each foreign nation to stamp products shipped to Britain with a “MADE IN…” seal. The Merchandise Marks Act was particularly aimed at Germany because it was suspected that the Germans were copying British products. The new regulation intended to make foreign products more obvious, stigmatize them, and hopefully encourage British buyers to “buy British.”

Following World War II, "Made in Germany" became synonymous with quality, reliability, and longevity

“Made in Germany” trademark, first applied in 1887

At first the plan worked because, even before the new law had gone into effect, German products had had the reputation of being cheap and inferior. But the German Industrialist, Werner von Siemens, came to realize that German industry had to improve the quality of its products if it wanted to compete in world markets. Soon, German knifes, watches, beer, and pianos were of as good a quality as their British counterparts. Sometimes, they were even better while still remaining less expensive. But the real triumph of the “Made in Germany” trademark did not occur until after Word War I. By then, Germany had begun to offer custom-tailored, quality products rather than mass-produced items. The method worked well for Germany. Its “Made in Germany” trademark ultimately developed into a sign of quality. It stood for quality, reliability, and longevity.

Now the question – is there still a need for a trademark in the globalized markets of today? Airbus parts, for instance, are manufactured in four different countries. Individual components are installed worldwide. Which “Made in…” trademark should be stamped on an Airbus do you think? Your thoughts?

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

Tags: "Made in Germany" trademark, Buy British, globalized markets, Merchandise Marks Act, This day in history, Werner von Siemens
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Two Men Walking Abreast – English Language Peculiarities

Monday, August 19th, 2013

English language peculiarities can be tough to grasp, particularly for the non-native speaker. Although all languages have their idiosyncrasies, English provides a rare number of challenges. Its grammar is relatively easy to learn because nouns don’t have gender-related articles as they do in some other languages. That means verbs and adjectives don’t have to undergo gender-related changes. Instead, English language peculiarities result from the vast number of inconsistencies and exceptions to the rule. English is full of them, making it a difficult language to learn.

Take the phonetic aspect. There is one common pronunciation, but two different spellings for “cell” and “sell.” The sequence of letters “ough” is pronounced differently in “though” and “enough.” The plural of “box” is boxes, but “ox” becomes “oxen.” When I first came to the United States, I had eight years of English under my belt. Yet, the oddities of the language continued to stump me. One time, a colleague passed around a piece of paper. “What is this?” he asked. For all I could tell, the sketch showed two stick figures with outstretched arms, reaching for some kind of a wheel between them.

Two men walking abreast – English language peculiarities J. Elke Ertle, www.walled-in-berlin.com

To the hoots and hollers of my colleagues, he exclaimed, “Two men walking abreast.” I didn’t think his pronouncement was funny. Not one bit. In fact, I thought it was rather stupid.

A few days later, I retold the joke though, not because I thought it was so funny but because it had garnered such a good laugh. When no one responded to my question, what is this?” I called out, “Two men walking a woman’s breast.” I brought down the house. How could I have known? Yes, these English language peculiarities make it difficult for us non-native speakers. But hey, we’re catching on!

Tags: English language peculiarities, exceptions to the rule, non-native English speakers, phonetics, Two men walking abreast
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First free West German Federal Elections

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

The first free West German Federal elections took place on 14 August 1949. Following the end of World War II in 1945, the country had been divided into four occupation zones: American, British, French and Soviet. Only the people in the Federal Republic of Germany (the three West German zones) participated in the elections. The turnout was 78.5%. Earlier, Bonn had become the provisional capital of the new democratic state. As a territory under Allied supervision, Berlin’s deputies did not get to cast their votes in the elections.

Most West German parties at the time of the 1949 West German Federal elections were committed to democracy. However, they disagreed on the kind of democracy. The Christian Democratic (CDU) leader and former mayor of the city of Cologne, 73-year-old Konrad Adenauer, was party chairman in the British Zone. He wanted a moderate, non-denominational, humanist Christian democracy. The Social Democratic (SPD) leader, Kurt Schumacher, pushed for a left-wing, patriotic party. He strongly opposed the earlier merger of the SPD with the Communist Party (KPD) in the Soviet zone and called Adenauer “Chancellor of the Allies.”

Konrad Adenauer
First President of the Federal Republic of Germany

In the first free West German Federal elections, the Christian Democrats formed a coalition with the Free Democrats (FDP) and the Conservatives (DP). Together, they obtained 31% of the votes. The Social Democrats achieved 29.2%. Therefore, on 15 September 1949, Konrad Adenauer was elected the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. He had made sure that the votes of the predominantly Social Democratic deputies from West Berlin did not count and later stated that he “naturally” had voted for himself. Adenauer held the office until 1963 and was re-elected three times. Schumacher assumed the chair as the minority leader of the SPD, ran for President of West Germany, but was defeated by FDP chairman Theodor Heuss.

Tags: first free West German elections, Konrad Adenauer, Kurt Schumacher, Theodor Heuss
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10 German Business Etiquette Tips

Monday, August 12th, 2013

The Job Talk section of The Local listed 10 German business etiquette tips that would be good additions to the repertoire of any foreign businessman or woman. I think the 25 March 2013 issue hits the nail on the head. If you want to make a good impression and be a successful negotiator in the German business world, consider the following:

1. PUNCTUALITY – Be on Time. Arriving late for an appointment suggests that you don’t value your associate’s time. That’s an insult.

2. FORMALITY – Unless you are invited to use first names, always address colleagues and business associates by their title and surnames.

3. HANDSHAKE – Shake hands before and after a meeting. Keep the handshake firm and brief. A weak one will suggest that you are unsure of your abilities.

The handshake
Keep it brief and firm

4. DRESSCODE – German business attire is usually reserved and conservative. Men and women wear suits and few, if any, pieces of jewelry. Don’t try to outdo them.

5. SMALL TALK – Keep small talk to a minimum and don’t discuss your personal life.

6. PRIVACY – Respect your colleagues’ and associates’ privacy. Always knock before entering. Don’t call superiors and associates at home.

7. DISTANCE – Observe the personal space of others. Shake hands, but don’t get too folksy by touching their arms or shoulders.

8. NO HARD SELL – If you have something to sell, present the facts as thoroughly as you can so that the other person can reach their own conclusion. Don’t bother with a hard sell. It is only insulting.

9. PLAN AHEAD – Your contacts have a full calendar as well. Last minute cancellations and changes are inconsiderate.

10. MEALS – If attending a business meal, wait for your host to initiate when to eat, drink, and make conversation.

Too often, there is a tendency to think that German business people follow the same set of rules as their foreign counterparts. Not necessarily so. The German business world is still fairly structured. When in Rome, do as the Romans. And when in Germany, do as the Germans. Good luck with your next business meeting in Germany. For additional information, please visit www.thelocal.de.

Tags: distance, dress code, formality, German business etiquette tips, handshake, punctuality, small talk
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Otto Lilienthal’s Last Glider Flight

Friday, August 9th, 2013

This day in history marks Otto Lilienthal’s last glider flight. He was a German pioneer of aviation and became known as the Glider King and Father of Flight. The date of his last flight was 9 August 1896. It was a beautiful summer day in Stoelln, about 60 kilometers northwest of Berlin, when Otto Lilienthal stepped into his harness for the last time. He had already made three successful flights that day and had attained his usual flying distance of over 800 feet. On the fourth attempt, he was slowly gliding into the valley when an unexpected sudden gust caught him off guard. His glider pitched and stalled. The Glider King lost control and crashed to the ground.

Otto Lilienthal had piloted gliders since 1891. During those five years, he made over 3000 flights and built 18 different contraptions. His largest double decker glider had a wingspan of 23 feet. His designs were similar to today’s frames for hang gliders and ultralight aircraft. He and his younger brother Gustav had tinkered with strap-on wings, using willow switches and cotton fabric, since Otto was fourteen. The storks near their home along the River Peene had been their inspiration. The brothers proceeded to study the flight of birds and soon recognized that the principal of aerodynamics is involved in flight and that wings need to have a curvature.

Otto Lilienthal
German Pionier of Aviation
He crashed on 9 August 1896

On Otto Lilienthal’s last glider flight on 9 August, 1896, he dropped from a height of about 50 feet, still in his glider. As he was placed on a cot, he is reported to have said, “I hardly have any pain. I’m just going to rest a little bit.” He, in fact, had fractured his spine and died from the injuries the following day.

Tags: Father of Flight, German pioneer of aviation, glider flights, Glider King, Otto Lilienthal, This day in history
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Happiness and Growth

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”
–Andy Rooney

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on the home page of http://www.walled-in-berlin.com. Walled-In is a story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War.

Tags: Andy Rooney, growth, happiness
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Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick

Monday, August 5th, 2013

Since 2004 Germans can extend their traditionally short summers by checking into the Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick. Located in a former airship hanger for zeppelins, the tropical theme park is located just 37 miles from Berlin’s city center. It stands on the site of the former Airfield Brand-Briesen. In 1938, the Nazis began development of the airfield. The Soviet Army occupied it after World War II. In 1992, following German reunification, the site was returned to the German Federal government.

Former airship hanger turned into a Tropical Islands Resort

Turned into a theme park at a cost of cost approximately 78 million euros, the hanger is the biggest freestanding hall in the world. Its inside air temperature is held at 80°F, humidity at 64%. Tropical Islands Resort is open around the clock every day of the year and allows overnight stays. Visitors may choose a variety of admission options, which include lodges and guest rooms along with tent rentals and simply crashing on the beach with a mat and blanket. The maximum number of visitors the park can accommodate per day is 6,000.

Tropical Islands Resort lodge with waterfall

The Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick is home to the biggest indoor rainforest in the world with 50,000 plants and many birds. The park’s tropical sea is designed to look like the waters of a coral island and includes 660 feet of sandy beach. An indoor landscaped water park the size of four football fields contains pools, lagoons, water slides, waterfalls, whirlpools, and saunas. Visitors can enjoy replicas of buildings from Thailand, Borneo, Samoa and Bali, a number of bars, restaurants, and evening and day shows. A 43,000 square foot children’s play area is also available.

For more information, contact tropical-islands.de.

Tags: airship hanger for Zeppelins, Berlin, Brand-Briesen, Germany, indoor rain forest, Krausnick, theme park, Tropical Islands Resort
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Potsdam Agreement

Friday, August 2nd, 2013

The Potsdam Agreement contains the details of the tripartite military occupation and reconstruction of Germany and the European Theatre following World War II. It was signed on this day in history in 1945. Shortly after midnight on 2 August 1945, the representatives of the three victorious WWII Allies, Clement Attlee (Great Britain), Harry S. Truman (United States), and Joseph Stalin (USSR) signed the Potsdam Agreement at Schloss Cecilienhof in Potsdam. The castle is located about 16 miles southwest of Berlin.

The Big Three:
Clement Attlee, Harry S. Truman, Joseph Stalin

Relative to Germany, the Potsdam Agreement addressed mainly the “5D’s”: Denazification, Demilitarization, Democratization, Decentralization, and Disassemblement.
– DENAZIFICATION – eradication of the National Socialist Party and Nazi institutions to eliminate all Nazi influence. War criminals to be brought to swift justice.
– DEMILITARIZATION – disarmament and demilitarization of Germany and the elimination of all German industries that could be used for military production.
– DEMOCRATIZATION – formation of political parties and trade unions, freedom of speech, press, and religion.
– DECENRALIZATION – elimination of a concentration of powers by decentralizing the political structure.
– DISMANTLING – Reduction or destruction of all civilian heavy-industry with war-potential, such as shipbuilding, machine production, and chemical factories. Restructuring of German economy towards agriculture and light-industry. It was further agreed that reparations to the USSR should come from the Soviet zone of Germany; reparations to the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries to come from the Western Zones. In addition, it was agreed that the USSR would be entitled to 10% of the industrial capacity (industrial capital equipment and industries) of the western zones. Dismantling was stopped in West Germany in 1951. In East Germany disassemblement continued.

The Potsdam Agreement was superseded by the “Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany”, which was signed on 12 September 1990, following reunification.

Tags: 5D's, Decentralization, Demilitarization, Democratization, Denazification, Dismantling, Potsdam conference, Schloss Cecilienhof, Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, WWII
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True Friends

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.
–Anonymous

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Nadezhda Popova Died

Monday, July 29th, 2013

Nadezhda Popova died earlier this month. She rose to deputy commander of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment during WWII. At the young age of 15, Ms. Popova joined a flying club. After graduating from pilot school, she became a flight instructor. At age 19 she became a pilot in an all-female regiment, the night bombers. The ages of these women ranged from 17 to 26.

bi plane flown by the Night Witches during World War II

In jerry-rigged onetime crop dusters, these female aviators flew 30,000 missions over a four-year period. They had no parachutes, no guns, no radios, and no radar. Their cockpits were open. If hit by bullets, their planes would burn like paper. Yet, they dumped 23,000 tons of bombs on their German adversaries. Ms. Popova flew 852 combat missions and was shot down several times, but never seriously wounded according to a 14 July 2013 article in the New York Times.

Usually, these two-seaters, made of plywood and canvas, were flown in formations of three. Two would serve as decoys. The third would slip through the darkness and drops its two single bombs, one under each wing. The triad would then switch places until all bombs were dropped. In the last stages of each bomb run, they would shut down their engines so that the Germans could only hear the hiss of the air flowing across the wings. Because it sounded like a broomstick in flight the Germans called them Night Witches.

Ms. Popova, one of the Night Witches, was 91 when she died according to a 13 July 2013 article in The Washington Post.

Tags: Nadezhda Popova, night bomber regiment, Night Witches, World War II
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