History of Snow Globes

There is something magical about the awe on the face of a child when they see a snow globe. The tiny, serene village or diminutive scene captured under glass is just waiting to be tossed about to watch the snow gently cascade to the ground below.

History in the Making
While it is not known for certain when the first snow globe came to be; all indications point to France in the early 1800's. By 1879 at least five French companies were creating and selling snow globes throughout Europe. To commemorate the International Exposition in Paris, in 1889; a snow globe with a miniaturized replica of the newly constructed Eiffel Tower was a popular souvenir for attendees.

Snow globes and water globes crossed the Atlantic in the early 1920's. Snow globes were used for marketing and advertising purposes in the 1940's and at that time, become the height of popularity by being featured in the opening scene of the classic movie, Citizen Kane. Plastic snow globes and water globes made their way into children's hands in the 1950's. Today snow globes and water globes of all shapes, sizes, and materials are manufactured around the world.

How a Snow Globe Works
It is interesting to note that early snow globe models were heavy creations of a heavy glass dome placed over a cast ceramic base filled with water. The snow in these first snow globes was made of pieces of porcelain, bone chips, or sand. As technology advanced through the years, so did the perfection of the snow globe. With thinner glass walls, lighter bases, and snow crafted of gold foil and now plastic.

A snow globe is a fantastical, miniaturized world that can easily be held in even the littlest hands. Almost everyone shares a fascination with snow globes and water globes.