Helen Czerski shares tactile globe discovery from German research institute
A scientist's photo of an exaggerated-topography globe sparks discussion about maps, accessibility, and planetary representation.
What to know
- Oceanographer Helen Czerski shared a photo of an exaggerated-relief globe from a German ocean research institute, sparking 90 comments on its design and utility.
- Commenters widely recognized the globe's value as a tactile learning tool for visually impaired students and as an educational aid for understanding planetary topography.
- A secondary debate emerged about the accuracy of extreme exaggeration: some argued it distorts true planetary scale, while others praised its pedagogical advantage over flat maps.
- Many respondents shared nostalgic memories of similar globes from their own education, suggesting this teaching method has long roots.
The globe is a brilliant pedagogical tool that conveys planetary features better than flat maps, especially for visually impaired learners.
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“Perfect for visually impaired. Cottage industry of tactile maps for the blind have produced some wonderfully functional and beautiful maps.”
synchronic-2000.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Extreme exaggeration of relief misrepresents planetary scale; on true scale, Earth would be smoother than a pool ball.
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“A flat globe is much more accurate. If the earth were the size of a pool ball, it would be smoother than that pool ball.”
rtomek.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
These globes evoke positive personal memories from school; many respondents owned or used similar globes as children.
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“I almost cried when my childhood globe was thrown away by my daughter. It was one of those old black globes that had a light inside.”
rae808.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Helen Czerski Oceanographer; post author
How it unfolded 5 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Commenter identifies the specific globe model and price
A user identified the globe as the GEO One 25" Extreme Raised Relief Classroom Floor Globe from Geo-Institut Globes, priced at $3,900.
“What a marvelous teaching tool for visually impaired people or anyone else whose learning is enhanced by senses beyond sight and sound.”
— latho17.bsky.social, Bluesky commenter · source -
Here's something for you. If we drained away the oceans, we would look like this,
2 more of the top 3 · 34 posts in this stretch
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No one nation should have that kind of unilateral power.
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Brings back fond elementary school memories of making salt dough maps as a visual aid for learning the topography of the US.
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Commenters share personal globe memories and nostalgia
Respondents shared childhood experiences with similar globes, including one who described losing a light-up globe, another who referenced making salt-dough maps, and others reflecting on school-era globe interactions.
“I almost cried when my childhood globe was thrown away by my daughter. It was one of those old black globes that had a light inside. By the time I was an adult all the countries were different...”
— rae808.bsky.social -
Just leave your regular globe unwatered for some time.
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I almost cried when my childhood globe was thrown away by my daughter. It was one of those old black globes that had a light inside. By the time I was an adult all the countries were different...
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Thank you @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and @mark-carney.bsky.social
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Commenters emphasize pedagogical advantage of 3D representation
Several commenters stressed that the three-dimensional tactile format conveys planetary features more effectively than flat maps, particularly for understanding relative scale and topography.
“this is such a cool way to see how uneven the planet really is. flat maps definitely don't give the same sense of scale.”
— aminand.bsky.social -
this is such a cool way to see how uneven the planet really is. flat maps definitely don’t give the same sense of scale.
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Every library should have one of those. Without nations and borders because those change. I'd like to have one but no room.
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Commenters debate accuracy of exaggerated relief versus flat maps
Some commenters questioned the accuracy of the exaggerated topography, while others argued for its educational value over flat maps. A debate emerged about whether extreme exaggeration actually distorts understanding of planetary scale.
“A flat globe is much more accurate. If the earth were the size of a pool ball, it would be smoother than that pool ball.”
— rtomek.bsky.social -
Wow! It looks accurate! Unlike the maps we’re using now!
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Wow, so perfect for teaching geography to the blind. We had one as kids, but it not as well done, very minor differences. This is totally beautiful. I would love one for my local library. I live tiny so I don't have room for one.
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Commenters identify utility for accessibility and learning
Multiple respondents noted the globe's value as a teaching tool for visually impaired students and as an educational resource. Several mentioned similar globes from their own school experiences or interest in tactile map applications.
“Perfect for visually impaired. Cottage industry of tactile maps for the blind have produced some wonderfully functional and beautiful maps.”
— synchronic-2000.bsky.social -
H
I LOVE this globe, which I found in the GEOMAR lobby (a German ocean research institute) this week. Exaggerated topography of both land and sea, showing the big picture and the beautiful intricacy. I want one!
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Impressive but it seems to exaggerate mountain height more than trench depths or is that just not showing the Marianas Trench?
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Beautiful. Needs a better axle though, for a truly satisfying spin.
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background
Helen Czerski shares tactile globe from GEOMAR lobby — Oceanographer Helen Czerski posted about discovering an exaggerated-topography globe in the lobby of GEOMAR, a German ocean research institute, during a visit. She expressed enthusiasm for the globe's visual representation of both land and sea features.
What people are saying 11 voices from 1 site · best of 57 · verbatim
- Sep 16
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Me too!! 😄 That's cool, lights up and you have a masterpiece ( so into light up globes)
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R
They had to start at X depth as a sphere and add material going up, or carve down to X. If X was the Marianas Trench it might look doofy.
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I think I've watched to much Bake-off and at first though what an amazing cake!
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The GEO One 25" Extreme Raised Relief Classroom Floor Globe - German Language Geo-Institut Globes - SKU GEO-1 $3,900.00
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Looks like something we made in grade school. Remember those?
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Nice, that could be a good candidate for 3D printing.
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And surprise... Africa ist bigger than US... therefore the decision by UN, to change official maps in a proper manner was blocked by US
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I got a smaller globe similar to that, back in the 70s, still have it, still refer to it
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This map is kind of funny because all those peaks and valleys wouldn't even be a millimeter difference 😄
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Oh that is lovely indeed! I want one too! We would probably be fighting over this if we spotted it at the same time in a store.
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It looks like if earth was an action figure. (endearingly)