Reis Memorial Frankfurt
A Horse Doesn't Eat Cucumber Salad
"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 141 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Frankfurt
Pizzeria Paolo
Not sure I want to share this one
Pizzeria Paolo is one of the Frankfurt restaurants I was close to not sharing with you. But here we go: this place makes my favorite Italian pizza...
by
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Willemer Häuschen
Goethe's love affair
The "Willemer Häuschen" in Frankfurt was the site of Göthe's meeting with Marianne Willemer which sparked a famous love affair...
by
Aroon
Nagersheth
Eis Fontanella
Spaghetti ice cream — so German
Spaghetti ice cream is something so very German! The best place to try it is Eis Fontanella in Frankfurt, but any ice cream shop will serve this curiosity!
by
Aroon
Nagersheth
Casablanca Café
A very well hidden one
"Casablanca Café" in Frankfurt is a curious, hidden place that is always changing. It's a bar & a buffet restaurant with a great terrace!
by
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
International Tattoo Gallery
Art in human form
"International Tattoo Gallery" in Frankfurt is the place for those who find tattoos an art form. They will make your tattoo dream come true!
by
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Cinéma
Arthouse movie theater
"Cinema" in Frankfurt is a hidden French cinema located at the end of a downtown passageway. It makes me wonder why large-scale cinemas are still a thing.
by
Carolina
Leersch
Bücherschränke
Public space bookcrossing
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
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Metzlerpark
Take a break
"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
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Street Art
Look closer
Frankfurt's street art and graffiti is definitely worth your attention, so follow my recommendations and find the best works and installations!
by
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Meral Imbiss
What a treat!
"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
Alexandra
Sepúlveda
Heading to Frankfurt?
141 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 141 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Frankfurt
Get to know our other Spotters from Frankfurt
As featured on:
