Geomag
{{Short description|Magnetic toy}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2015|reason=only a couple of minor points are sourced}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
File:Mathieu 12 icosahedron.jpg
Geomag, stylized as GEOMAG, is a magnetic construction toy consisting of a collection of bars, each set with a neodymium alloy magnet at both ends, connected by a magnetic plug coated with polypropylene, and nickel-coated metal spheres. These elements interlock using magnetism, allowing for them to be assembled in various ways.
Geomag was created in May 1998 by Claudio Vicentelli. Geomag products are manufactured by Geomagworld SA, based in Novazzano, Switzerland. To align with the 2009/48/EC law's nickel content regulations for toys, the design was adjusted{{When|date=November 2023}} to feature spheres coated with a bronze alloy.
Invention and Patent
In May 1998, Claudio Vicentelli, a specialist in practical applications of permanent magnets,{{cite web
|url=https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/011446387/publication/EP1349626A1?q=pn%3DEP1349626
|title=EP1349626A1 ASSEMBLY OF MODULES WITH MAGNETIC ANCHORAGE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STABLE GRID STRUCTURES
|date=18 July 2002
|website=Espacenet: free access to over 140 million patent documents
|publisher=epspacenet
|access-date=31 October 2023
|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031202836/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/011446387/publication/EP1349626A1?q=pn%3DEP1349626
|archive-date=31 October 2023 }} patented the concept of Geomag.
The patented design outlines the setup of the Geomag bars, which incorporate a metal pin that connects two magnets positioned at opposite ends, along with metallic spheres. The primary objective of this configuration was to minimize the use of magnetic material, thereby reducing production expenses.
Global Expansion of Geomag
Geomag made its debut in the Italian toy chain store Città del Sole in 1999.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} In 2000, Geomag appeared in several toy fairs in Milan, Nuremberg, and New York. Differences in vision for the development of the toy led to Vicentelli and toy company Plastwood{{who|date=October 2023|reason=Plastwood has not been mentioned yet, who/what are they?}} ending their partnership in the same year.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
In January 2003, the Swiss company Geomag SA was created in Ticino, with a license to produce Geomag.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} This company introduced more elements to the toy, such as panels made of semi-transparent colored polycarbonate (triangular platforms, rhombi, squares, and pentagons), used for decorative and structural support purposes. Vicentelli patented these new elements in Europe in 2004.{{patent|EP|1349626}}
In 2004, the G-Baby line, aimed at younger children, was introduced, featuring magnetic cubes and half-spheres with magnetic faces.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
International regulators such as ASTM USA and the European Commission instituted a rule{{When|date=November 2023}} dictating that products small enough to fit within a test cylinder could only be sold to children aged 14 and above. Consequently, the original Geomag bars were elongated to 58 mm from their initial 27 mm length. The original Geomag variant was renamed to Geomag PRO, with an age designation of 14 and above.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
Geomag SA ceased operations in November 2007, but was revived by entrepreneurs{{who|date=October 2023|reason=Plastwood has not been mentioned yet, who/what are they?}} in 2008, who established Geomagworld SA.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} In 2009, Geomagworld SA began to produce 58 mm magnetic bars in compliance with the European Standard EN71. These bars formed the foundation for the product lines targeted to small children (ages +3), and incorporated colour variations (bars and spheres) and panels (bars, spheres, and reinforcement panels for both decorative and structural use).{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
The original 27 mm bars, still in production, were rebranded as the Geomag PRO line, comprising pro-colour, pro-metal, and pro-panel variants.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
Awards
- 2002 Parents' Choice Award "Geomag"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2004 Dr. Toy "The Best Advice on Children’s Products" Geomag - Color - 44 pcs{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2004 Gold Award Winners Nappa{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2004 Parents' Choice Award "Geomag Color 96 Kit"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2004 Parents' Choice Award "Geomag Panel 125 Kit"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2004 Toy Retailer Association "Construction Toy of the Year"{{Cite web |date=31 July 2012 |title=Toy of the Year 2004 {{!}} Toy Retailers Association |url=http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/toy-year/toy-year-2004 |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731090258/http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/toy-year/toy-year-2004 |archive-date=31 July 2012 }}
- 2005 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award Gold Seal{{Cite web |date=19 February 2015 |title=The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio |url=http://www.toyportfolio.com/SingleProduct.php?ProductID=3757 |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219185732/http://www.toyportfolio.com/SingleProduct.php?ProductID=3757 |archive-date=19 February 2015 }}
- Parents' Choice Award "Geomag Pastelles 42"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2005 Parents' Choice Award "Magnetic Challenge"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2005 Tillywig Toy & Media Awards "G333 Glow Moon Explorer"{{Cite web |title=Tillywig Toy Awards |url=https://www.tillywig.com/search.php?wm=sub&q=geomag&x=-147&y=-586 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=www.tillywig.com}}
- 2005 TOTY "Special toy of the year"{{Cite web |title=2005 TOTY Winners |url=https://www.toyassociation.org/Events2/TOTY_Awards/2005_TOTY_Winners.aspx#.U80FjVbcag0 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=The Toy Association}}
- 2006 Parents' Choice Award "Geomag Dynamic Master"{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
- 2006 Kids Superbrand{{Cite web |title=Web archive |url=http://www.superbrands.easysite.org/files/GEOMAG_3790.pdf |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=Web archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005223520/http://www.superbrands.easysite.org/files/GEOMAG_3790.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2006 }}
- 2012 Editors' Recommended Specialty Toy "GEOMAG E-Motion Power Spin 24 pc"{{Cite web |title=new toys and kids gifts and what kids want hot toys |url=https://www.toydirectory.com/product.asp?id=33887 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=toydirectory.com}}
- 2012 Editors' Recommended Specialty Toy "Geomag Pink - 66 pc"{{Cite web |title=new toys and kids gifts and what kids want hot toys |url=https://www.toydirectory.com/product.asp?id=34780 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=toydirectory.com}}
- 2012 Space Age Award in the category 'Little Scientists.' "Geomag GLOW Moon Explorer"{{Cite web |author1=Space com Staff |date=15 February 2012 |title=Best of Toy Fair 2012: SPACE.com's Space Age Awards Winners |url=https://www.space.com/14589-space-age-awards-toy-fair.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en}}
- 2013 Editors' Recommended Specialty Toy "KOR Geomag - Aki"{{Cite web |title=new toys and kids gifts and what kids want hot toys |url=https://www.toydirectory.com/product.asp?id=36330 |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=toydirectory.com}}
See also
References
External links
- [http://www.geomagworld.com/ Official website]
- [http://www.geomagmasters.com/ Geomag Masters] - Geomag Fan
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2009