Wobble dog and toilet roll - the history of the hat rack

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz

Stuttgart. The diverse permanent exhibition of the Mercedes-Benz Museum presents 160 vehicles and a total of 1.500 exhibits. The “33 extras” are a special component: They bring mobility history and automotive culture to life using the example of often surprising details. The Mercedes-Benz Museum Inside newsletter series draws attention to the “33 extras” and brings their stories to the point. Today's episode is about the hat rack.

29/33: The parcel shelf

Stylish storage space: Anyone who dresses elegantly as a man in the middle of the 20th century usually wears a hat as headgear outside of the home. In a closed automobile - especially in a sedan or coupé - this is not necessary and the hat can be removed. The permanently installed cover of the luggage compartment proves to be the perfect storage space for Fedora, Homburg, Panama and Co. This area is located between the backrests of the rear seats and the rear window. It separates the underlying part of the luggage compartment from the interior of the vehicle. Because of its typical use, it is given the prosaic name "hat shelf".

Clear the stage for accessories: As a word creation, “hat shelf” is almost a bit late. Because since the German economic miracle of the 1950s, the number of people wearing hats has been falling continuously. Now the area is used as a stage for various accessories. These include, for example, "nodding dachshunds" figures, crocheted toilet paper rolls and decorated pillows. The Mercedes-Benz Museum shows all three examples together as one of “33 extras”.

Nodding popular figure: The dachshund is one of the most popular dogs in Germany. It established itself as a mascot for the automobile in the 1960s: the plastic figure of a brown short-haired dachshund has a moveable head that bobs up and down when driving. In the 1980s, this "bobble dog" was banned from most cars as a supposedly bourgeois accessory. A little later, however, the youngtimer scene and other lovers of the popular culture of the late 20th century discovered him as an iconic figure of sympathy for themselves. Anyone looking for such a figure today will find what they are looking for at Mercedes-Benz: The accessory is available there as an original accessory - including a collar with a Mercedes star.

From the role: Toilet paper in a self-crocheted cover can also often be found on the parcel shelf at the beginning of the motorization of broad sections of the population after the 1950s. The reason for this is that the sanitary infrastructure along highways does not develop quite as quickly as the enthusiasm for excursions in one's own car grows. You are happy to have a makeshift solution on board.

Helping pillow: The embroidered cushion on the hat shelf looks like the twin brother of the Biedermeier-kitsch sofa cushion. But there are also versions with helpful content: In the 1970s, many automobiles were out and about with the first-aid kit as a plastic cushion on the parcel shelf.

Load securing: As humorous and bizarre as some of the decorations on the hat shelf may appear - we strongly advise against objects lying loosely on this surface. Because if they are catapulted forward forcefully in an accident, they pose a risk to the passengers.

Innovation: The parcel shelf is a supposedly inconspicuous component in an automobile. But at Mercedes-Benz there is also a spirit of innovation in this. Over the years, for example, recesses for retractable headrests or a recess for the first-aid kit secured with a lid are integrated.

The legend of Adenauer's hat: Men's hats have always played a role in the history of Mercedes-Benz - even if not always on the parcel shelf. The first German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, allegedly decided to use the Mercedes-Benz 1951 presented in 300 as a company car because of his hat. Because the politician can get into the spacious representative limousine without having to knock his hat off his head - as is the case with other makes.

The hat comes back: But what about the common stereotype that many a conservative driver of a Mercedes-Benz limousine even keeps his hat on at the wheel? The brand has used the prejudice as a welcome marketing tool: "Mercedes drivers are wearing hats again" was the prompt prompt nine years ago when the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class was presented. In fact, in 2012 there will be a trendy trilby made of black wool felt and with a lively contrasting plaid in the ribbon as an accessory to match the young, sporty compact class. It is specially designed for Mercedes-Benz - and it certainly cuts a fine figure on a parcel shelf.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

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