description Martin Behaim Overview
Martin Behaim was a German textile merchant and navigator best known for creating the Erdapfel, the oldest surviving terrestrial globe. Constructed between 1490 and 1492 in his hometown of Nuremberg, the globe predates the European awareness of the New World following Christopher Columbus's voyages. Because it was completed before the discovery of the Americas was known in Europe, the Erdapfel notably lacks the Western Hemisphere, instead depicting an expanded ocean between Europe and Asia. Behaim's creation is highly valued by historians of cartography as a physical record of European geographical knowledge at the close of the 15th century.
insights Ranking position
Martin Behaim ranks #70 of 350 in the Cartographer ranking, behind Nicolas Sanson, ahead of Juan de la Cosa.
help Martin Behaim FAQ
What is Martin Behaim famous for creating?
Martin Behaim is best known for constructing the Erdapfel in 1492, which is the oldest surviving terrestrial globe. He built this model in Nuremberg, offering a snapshot of geographical knowledge right before Europeans discovered the Americas.
Does the Erdapfel globe show North and South America?
No, the Erdapfel does not include the Americas because Columbus had not yet returned from his first voyage when it was created. Instead, Behaim filled the ocean between Europe and Asia with mythical islands and outdated geographical details.
What does the name Erdapfel mean?
The term Erdapfel literally translates to "earth apple" in German, which was a common term for a potato but used here to describe the spherical shape of the globe. It remains a major artifact housed at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg.
Was Martin Behaim a navigator or just a mapmaker?
Behaim was a German navigator and merchant who spent significant time in Portugal, engaging with the era of European exploration. His maritime experience heavily influenced his ability to construct a globe, even if the geographical data was slightly flawed.
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