Figure 1.-- Here we see two German children checking out a Litfaßsäule, probably in 1957. THey are looking at, the movie showings. Luxor was a movie theater. There is something about schools further down. Note the sandals and jeans. That is something you would not have seen in America at the time. Click on the image for a fuller discussion.

Litfaßsäule were a popular form of advertising in Germany and other countries for more than a century. The first ones appeared in Berlin (1855). We do not have any images from the 19th century, because most photographs were studio portraits. We have much more information after the turn-of-the 20th century. We see them in numerous street photograps during the 20th countury. They were often photographed during political campaigns. The infamous Julius Stricher used them to post and virulently anti-Semetic publications like Der Strümer. Parents complained because of the phornography he utilized. They were commonly used through World War II and afterwards. With the popularity of television they began to become less utilized in the 1960s. By the 1980s they were becoming rare. They have not, however, totally disappeared.

The 19th Century

Litfaßsäule were a popular form of advertising in Germany and other countries for more than a century. The first ones appeared in Berlin (1855). We do not have any images from the 19th century, because most photographs were studio portraits.

The 20th Century

We have much more information after the turn-of-the 20th century. We see them in numerous street photograps during the 20th countury. They were often photographed during political campaigns. A good example is a newly placed poster during the 1932 presidential election in which Hitler tried to unseat Hindenburg. The infamous Julius Stricher used them to post and virulently anti-Semetic publications like Der Strümer. Parents complained because of the phornography he utilized. They were commonly used through World War II and afterwards. With the popularity of television they began to become less utilized in the 1960s. By the 1980s they were becoming rare. They have not, however, totally disappeared.

Created: 1:57 AM 5/3/2009
Last updated: 5:43 AM 1/30/2012