Felix Graf, Autor bei Swiss National Museum

6. March 2019

Art | Nature | Modern Age | Society | Article | Featured

The image of Switzerland in the time of Gottfried Keller

His, more than any other, was the hand that shaped Switzerland’s image in the 19th century: Zurich-born artist, watercolourist and art publisher Rudolf Dikenmann. His prints produced using the aquatint technique were churned out in their thousands: for travellers, collectors and members of the public.

28. February 2019

Literature | Modern Age | Culture | Article | Featured

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Robinson Crusoe in old Zurich

In 1720, not long after its publication, the first German translation of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe came out. Zurich academic Johann Jakob Bodmer recommended it to the ladies of Zurich for reading. In 1818, a ‘Little Robinson for the entertainment of young persons’ was published in Zurich.

26. October 2018

Technology | 20th / 21st century | Culture | Economy | Article | Featured

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SAFIR – an automobile from West Zurich

From 1913 to 1991, the present-day home of the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra and lofty Prime Tower was a major centre for the production of gears, pumps and machine tools. And from 1907 to 1910 was the birthplace of a few dozen SAFIR brand automobiles.

2. August 2018

Collection | Art | Tourism | 20th / 21st century | Society | Culture | Article | Featured

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The Sun of St. Moritz by Walter Herdeg

The sun and lettering in the design of the resort town of St. Moritz is the oldest still-used tourism trademark in the world. The symbol and logo were created in 1932 by Zurich graphic designer Walter Herdeg.