Making the World

Peter Bellerby simply wanted to find a globe for his father, not finding one of the right quality (either too old and fragile or modern and flimsy) he decided to make one himself, after all how hard could it be! It turns out really hard! He first licensed a map, but in order to correct the many mistakes he had to teach himself Adobe Illustrator, then turn his detailed flat map into ‘gores’, the triangular slices that form the globe. Creating the sphere was tricky enough (for this he needed to use Formula 1 Fabricators for the moulds), if it wasn’t perfect then the gores wouldn’t line up.

The project turned into a labour of love, and a company – Bellerby & Co Globemakers was born. The very first globe had taken about 2 years and £180,000 to become a reality.

Seven years on Bellerby’s company is one of only two globe makers in the world, and he creates these things of beauty in his little North London studio with a brilliant team of artisans. His globes have become rather famous, staring in Hollywood movies and TV productions. The level of detail is really beautiful, and I have immense respect for someone who identifies a problem, or something that is missing then trains themselves to make it! What patience and what a unique work of art.

Originally found at The D Pages.