Why is the Hamburger Gitter called that?

The probable truth

The Hamburger Gitter was first used by the Hamburg police in the 1970s and 80s to secure demonstrations and large events. Hamburg, as the German city with the highest demonstration density at the time, needed a robust, quickly deployable solution - and so the "Hamburger Gitter" was born.

The fun theory

The grid pattern of the barriers reminded a hungry police officer of his favorite fast food. Since then, officers at demonstrations allegedly get hungry every time they see one.

The probable truth

The name "Mannesmanngitter" comes from the steel company Mannesmann, which originally manufactured these barriers. Mannesmann was a German industrial giant known for steel tubes and was based in Düsseldorf. The barriers became so popular that the brand name became the generic term - similar to "Tempo" for tissues.

The variant "Mannheimer Gitter" probably arose from phonetic confusion - Mannesmann sounds like Mannheim. Or Mannheim was simply a major customer.

The fun theory

A metalworker from Mannheim once bent a grid so badly that his colleagues said: "Typical Mannheimer work!" The name stuck - even though the barriers today are of course of the highest quality.

The probable truth

The name "Luxemburger Gitter" is mainly used in southern Germany and Austria. It probably originated because these barriers were often imported from Luxembourg or manufactured there for the southern German market.

The fun theory

The barriers are as small and compact as the country of Luxembourg itself. And just like in Luxembourg, all EU languages fit on them - at least on the warning signs.

The probable truth

This name is wonderfully self-explanatory: The barriers are placed where people push and shove - at concerts, football matches, or when the new iPhone is released. They keep the pushing crowds in check.

The fun theory

The inventor tested the first prototype at a German bakery on Sunday morning. Whoever has ever stood in line for bread rolls knows: This is where real pushing happens!

In the construction and traffic safety sector, barriers are classified by type letters according to their construction:

• Type B "Control" - 2100/2600 mm length, with welded feet
• Type C - 2600 mm, stackable (~33 mm), approx. 14.6 kg
• Type D "Rule" - 2000/2500 mm, height 1100 mm, 15.5-18 kg
• Type U - 2500 mm length, with welded feet
• Type L "Fence" - 2500 mm, with welded feet
• Type SE - With tactile strip and removable feet

These types differ mainly in dimensions, weight, and stability. Type D is often used for road construction, Type C for event sites with vehicle traffic.

The construction fence also has many names:

• Bauzaun - the classic
• Mobilzaun - because it is mobile
• Site fence - the English variant
• Site barrier - sounds more official
• Temporary fencing - for international construction sites

The fun theory

The name "Mobilzaun" was invented by a marketing department because "that rusty thing that keeps falling over in the wind" sounded less professional.