It is believed that the creation of the original waterglobe was borrowed from the concept of glass-paperweight dating back as early as 1800’s in France. From there, in 1889, the world's first waterglobe was created. This palm-sized glass globe featured the famous Eiffel Tower as its center-piece and has a ceramic base and fake snow. It was introduced to the public in the 1889 Paris Exposition and proved to be a successful souvenir item.
Later in the Victorian era, snowstorms, as they were called became popular as souvenirs, toys and desk paperweights. And in the early 1920’s, it crossed the Atlantic to the United States and Canada.
The pivotal point in the history of waterglobes came in 1927, when Joseph Garaja of Pittsburgh, filed a patent pertaining to the mass production of glass waterglobes of “artistic attractiveness and novel ornamentation.” Once the patent was granted on December 31, 1929, the concept was copied and waterglobes were soon sold everywhere.
Capitalizing on the popularity of waterglobes, American companies in the 1940's use them in their advertising campaigns. While in Europe, religious themed waterglobes were popular gifts for Catholic children.
Today’s waterglobes can come with music, revolving piece or base, lighting effect, button-activated snow blower and much more. You can find out more about Twinkle’s waterglobe functions by clicking here.
Picture from Connie A. Moore & Harry L. Rinker Snow Globes