100 years of Grüne Woche: How it all began

When the German Agricultural Society (DLG) held its winter conference in Berlin, it was noticeable on the streets. This was because most of the participants were dressed in green loden coats. Representatives of the agricultural and food industries had been meeting in Berlin since the end of the 19th century. Craftsmen and industrialists set up stands in the conference district to sell their wares to farmers and hunters from all over Germany. Hunting shows and exhibitions were scattered throughout the city.

In order to curb the wild trade, farmer Hans-Jürgen von Hake – then an employee of the Berlin Tourist Office – came up with the idea of combining the 1926 conference with an agricultural exhibition on Kaiserdamm for the first time. The trade conference was to be combined with an agricultural exhibition for the general public covering 7,000 square metres. ‘Exhibition for the needs of agriculture and related businesses’ announced a poster advertising the premiere of the trade fair.

Great interest among the population

The new concept was a resounding success. In its first year, it attracted 50,000 visitors. Grüne Woche, as it was christened by the press, was of great importance for Berlin as a trade fair venue. Alongside the radio and motor show, it strengthened Berlin's status as a business location. Nine years after the first edition, it also received its distinctive logo. The yellow ear of corn on a green background was designed by graphic artist Wilhelm Hölter.

From the outset, Grüne Woche combined a trade fair with equestrian and driving competitions. There were small animal exhibitions, a seed market, and hunters showed off their skills. Unlike today, a fifth of Berlin was still agricultural land at that time. The city was home to 45,000 horses, 25,000 pigs, 21,000 dairy cows and more than half a million poultry. Around 200,000 Berliners owned an allotment. This meant that the goods and services on display were not only of interest to professional farmers, but also to the general public.

The dawn of a new era

Even back then, Grüne Woche was a place of innovation. The largest exhibit at the first show was a four-metre-high universal tractor with iron wheels and 100 horsepower for field work. It symbolised the beginning of mechanisation in agriculture.

But visitors also got to see all kinds of curiosities. In 1928, a footprint machine was supposed to prove that dogs only follow human tracks, not smells. In 1930, an egg freshness machine was introduced to keep 5,000 eggs fresh ‘naturally’. The eggs, which were rotated in a circle, were supposed to remain edible for a year thanks to the movement.

More promising inventions included a can milking system, a caterpillar tractor, a hand-operated chainsaw and high-yield grain varieties from well-known breeders. Elektrolux presented a horse vacuum cleaner.

But enjoyment also played an important role from the very beginning. In 1931, exhibitor Finow Farm came up with a sales truck converted into a market stall – the first food truck at Grüne Woche.