It was in Berlin where the German printer and publisher Ernst Litfaß (1816-1874) came up with the idea of free-standing cylindrical advertising columns in 1854. They were named after him (Litfaß + Säulen [columns] = Litfaßsäulen) and quickly became common all over Germany. They were used to advertise cultural events and for public announcements. Despite ever increasing digitalisation they can still be found today in cities around Germany and other European countries.

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Im Jahr sieht ein Kind in Deutschland das blaue Plakat an der Litfaßsäule und sagt zu seiner Mutter: „Aber Mama, das ist Kiwi auf dem Plakat, das ist .”

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Words, Terms & Phrases: Walking around German towns & cities: The "Litfaßsäule"