From need to idea – the history of HALBE frames
It was 1946 when Hubert Halbe (Fig. 01) – severely wounded after returning from the war and with no plan for his future life – plucked up the courage to start something new. His original dream of setting up a tree nursery with his brother had been shattered by his brother’s death in the war. With nothing to do, but deeply rooted in his Christian faith, he asked the pastor of his home town of Kirchen for advice. His answer was pragmatic and forward-looking: “Start a bookshop – that’s what’s missing here.”
What began as a book and art shop (Fig. 02) soon became much more. People, scarred by war, were looking for comfort, beauty and peace. They wanted Christian pictures – and they also wanted them framed.
An idea arose from the customer’s desire to present pictures in a worthy manner. An idea that began in grandma’s small kitchen (Fig.03): with wooden strips, nailed together under the simplest of conditions. It wasn’t much – but it was the beginning of HALBE frames.
Experiments were carried out early on: In addition to the classic frame, the so-called picture block (Fig.04) was created – a frameless picture support in which the picture was held by clips between the back wall and the glass. It was a product of its time: reduced, practical, affordable. HALBE was one of the first suppliers of such picture blocks, which quickly became very popular.
With them, the desire and technical thinking to frame pictures from the front emerged for the first time. This idea, born out of the improvisation of the post-war years, was the first step towards a new way of thinking about framing – one that characterized HALBE from the very beginning.
The workshop was a living room, family hub and production site all in one. The children played in the sawdust, lunch was eaten between the workbenches and pictures were assembled in the evenings. The economic circumstances were difficult, but the Halbe family’s passion was stronger.
When Heinrich Halbe (Fig.05), Hubert’s son, was working on the drawing board at his technical college in the 1970s, he sparked what is now regarded as a turning point in the company’s history. Inspired by the magnets on his drawing board, he had the brilliant idea: why not use magnets to frame pictures – precisely, from the front, without clamps and screws? When he told his father about it, the vision was born: the magnetic frame – a world first. The first models consisted of basic elements made of laminated polystyrene board (Fig. 07) – sensitive to moisture and a far cry from today’s technical maturity. But the idea was revolutionary. The patent was applied for in June 1975.
The first appearance at the international Photokina trade fair (Fig. 06) in Cologne marked a milestone. HALBE had already exhibited at the fair in 1974, and in 1978 the new magnetic frame was presented to the general public for the first time – a system that set new standards both functionally and aesthetically. The trade fair appearance was the breakthrough: the response was overwhelming, the system was recognized – and understood. It was the hour in which a small, resourceful family business became an innovation leader.
The rise was accompanied by the development of more and more new profile cross-sections: The Alu 8 – still a classic today – was the first profile designed specifically for the magnetic frame series.
This was followed by the Alu 6, the elegant Alu 12 and later other variants in different colors – from bronze to black and polished gold. Wooden frames and other product series such as PROTECT, CONSERVO and CONSERVO-DISTANCE were also introduced to meet the highest demands, particularly in the museum sector (Fig. 08).
The history of HALBE frames is also the history of constant renewal. From improvising in grandma’s kitchen to own production halls to CNC-supported symbiosis of high-tech and manual work, to illuminated frames, online configurators and design awards – every step was an expression of courage, craftsmanship and conviction. And so something rare was born: a company that carries on its history with every frame – and always remains open to the ideas of tomorrow.
Introduced 50 years ago, the magnetic frame still sets standards today – for a frame technology that works quickly, easily and securely. Today, more than 75 years after the company was founded, David Halbe is the third generation to run the company. With the same passion, the same handwriting – and the firm determination to frame each picture as it deserves: with respect, precision and soul.