"Das Pferd frisst keinen Gurkensalat" - The horse doesn't eat cucumber salad - these were the fairly unfamous first words ever said on a telephone... And rest assured much bigger nonsense has been spoken on phones since 1861. That was the year German inventor Philipp Reis introduced a new device called the "telephon" to the Frankfurter Physikalischer Verein. He used the difficult to understand sentence to prove that words could be properly transmitted at a distant end of the new machine.
Reis actually succeeded, and his invention, originally meant to transmit musical tones, worked pretty well for speech. However, he failed to properly claim the patent so that only a few years later A.G.Bell could claim novelty.
This Frankfurt monument was set up in 1919 in Bockenheimer Anlage, close to where the Frankfurter Physikalischer Verein used to be, to honour Reis who also was from the region.
The two naked men caused a scandal in 1919 as they drew more attention than the attribute itself, the telephone. Today, close by Hamburger Am Turm, a fancy illuminated Burger Stall draws even more attention away from the guys on the phone.
Find your way with 144 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
There are several "Bücherschränke" in Frankfurt in public places - 'bookcases' where people can leave and take books from. I think it's a great way to...
by
"Metzlerpark" Frankfurt is the place to grab a bite to eat or chill out for a bit while visiting the Museumsufer along the river. Take your sandwich or...
by
"Patisserie de l'Arabie" Frankfurt is a patisserie with baklava, mabroume, basme, sirra, schafayif... if these names don't ring a bell, you're missing out!
by
Frankfurt's street art and graffiti is definitely worth your attention, so follow my recommendations and find the best works and installations!
by
"Meral" is a kebab shop on a boat moored at the quay on the river in Frankfurt! This place, to me, tastes like spring & summer - they even have fish döner!
by
"Fit Kitchen" Frankfurt is a restaurant for people looking out for what they eat, which can be tough on the go. They're tasty & have nutrient counts...
by
"Pizzeria da Cimino" is where most people in Frankfurt go for pizza! My favorite one is the one with spinach. It's just the perfect place for casual lunch.
by
"Orfeos Erben" Frankfurt is a delicate, multifaceted bar/restaurant offering intimacy and refinement. But above all this restaurant is actually a cinema!
by
"Wayang" is the one Indonesian restaurant in Frankfurt that sets itself apart. Protip: for a full experience, ask for some tea along with with your meal...
by
"Immer Satt" is a very nice Frankfurt restaurant, decorated with sheer sobriety, down to earth yet subtly refined. I definitely recommend the German...
by
"Fichtekränzi" is one of the oldest typical restaurants in Frankfurt. Here you will have the chance to get to know Apfelwein (apple wine) culture and...
by
"Der Fette Bulle" -- hands-down the best burgers in Frankfurt. It's a great first stop on a night out and even though you need to wait a bit it's worth it.
by
144 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 144 Insider Tips