From necessity to idea – the story of HALBE frames
It was 1946 when Hubert Halbe (Fig. 01)—returning from the war severely wounded and with no plan for his future—found the courage to start something new. His original dream of starting a tree nursery with his brother had been shattered by the latter's death in the war. Without a purpose, but deeply rooted in the Christian faith, he asked the pastor of his hometown church for advice. The pastor's answer was pragmatic and forward-looking: “Start a bookstore—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 searching for comfort, beauty, and peace. They wanted Christian images—and they wanted them framed.
An idea was born out of customers' desire to display pictures in a dignified 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.
Experimentation began early on: in addition to the classic frame, the so-called picture block (Fig. 04) was developed—a frameless picture holder in which the picture was held between the back panel and the glass with clips. It was a product of its time: minimalist, practical, affordable. HALBE was one of the first suppliers of such picture blocks, which quickly became very popular.
They were the first to express the desire and technical thinking behind framing images from the front. This idea, born out of post-war improvisation, was the first step towards a new way of thinking about frames – one that has shaped HALBE from the very beginning.
The workshop was a living room, the center of family life, and a place of production all at once. The children played in the sawdust, lunch was eaten between workbenches, and pictures were mounted in the evenings. Economic conditions were difficult, but the Halbe family's passion was stronger.
When Heinrich Halbe (Fig. 05), Hubert's son, was working at his technical college drawing board in the 1970s, he had an idea that would prove to be a turning point in the company's history. Inspired by the magnets on his drawing board, he had a brilliant idea: Why not use magnets to frame pictures – precisely, from the front, without clips or 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 far from today's technical maturity. But the idea was revolutionary. The patent was filed in June 1975.
The first appearance at the international trade fair Photokina (Fig. 06) in Cologne marked a milestone. HALBE had already presented itself at the trade fair in 1974, and in 1978 the new magnetic frame was unveiled to the general public for the first time – a system that set new standards in terms of both functionality and aesthetics. The trade fair appearance was the breakthrough: the response was overwhelming, the system was recognized – and understood. It was the moment when a small, resourceful family business became an innovation leader.
The rise was accompanied by the development of ever 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 various colors—from bronze to black to polished gold. For the most demanding requirements, especially in museums, wooden frames and other product series such as PROTECT, CONSERVO, and CONSERVO-DISTANCE were also introduced (Fig. 08).
The history of HALBE frames is also a story of constant innovation. From improvising in grandma's kitchen to our own production halls, to CNC-supported symbiosis of high-tech and craftsmanship, to illuminated frames, online configurators, and design awards—every step was an expression of courage, craftsmanship, and conviction. And so something rare was created: a company that carries on its history with every frame—while always remaining open to the ideas of tomorrow.
Introduced 50 years ago, the magnetic frame continues to set standards today – for a framing technique that is quick, easy, and secure. Today, more than 75 years after the company was founded, David Halbe is the third generation to run the business. With the same passion, the same signature style, and the same determination to frame every picture as it deserves to be framed: with respect, precision, and soul.