Accidental invention of snow globe traces back to hospital lighting experiment in Vienna

The snow globe was accidentally invented in 1900 by Erwin Perzy I while trying to improve lighting in hospital operating rooms. He used a glass globe filled with water and white particles, leading to the creation of the first snow globe. Perzy's invention gained popularity, especially after World War II, when he expanded his product line to include Christmas-themed globes. The family business thrived, becoming a major supplier to American department stores. Today, the Original Viennese Snow Globe company, now run by Perzy's granddaughter Sabine, produces around 300,000 snow globes annually. The company continues to innovate while maintaining its reputation for quality and craftsmanship.