How I hid the (hi)stories in search-and-find

Author: Kimberley Hoffman
Reading time: 11 Minutes

Contents: How I hid the (hi)stories in search-and-find

How are historical search-and-find illustrations created?

In this article, I show how I make city history visible—and how I created my search-and-find illustrations for »Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart« (»Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart«).

The Idea Behind this Historical Search-and-Find Book
Research — Discovering the History of Stuttgart
The Most Important Source for My Historical Search-and-Find Illustrations
From Sketch to Search-and-Find Illustrations and Book
Children, Culture, Context – Target Groups in Focus
Should We Omit Dark Facts?
Historical Search-and-Find Illustrations as a Bridge in Museums
Small but Mighty – and Full of delightful Aha! Ideas

The Making of Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart

The Idea Behind the Historical Search-and-Find Book

History, delving into the past, discovering new information—who doesn’t like that? Imagine what Stuttgart was like »back in the day.« Stuttgart existed long before it bore this name. Stuttgart’s history goes back a long way. Because a search-and-find book only has seven double pages, »Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart« begins with the Roman era in Bad Cannstatt.

My Silberburg Publishing House editor Bettina Kimpel and I decided on the following historical search-and-find book themes related to Stuttgart:

Bad Cannstatt in the Roman era
Stuttgart in the 12th century
An unforgettable wedding
Court life in 1790
The Cannstatt Folk Festival in 1870
Stuttgart in 1960
Stuttgart today

We also decided to write informational texts. This is unusual for a search-and-find book. Normally, text is not necessary. But this is no ordinary search-and-find book – it is a historical search-and-find book.

We thought a little help would be useful for readers. After all, not everyone knows when a particular ruler was in power. Not even I do! (I’m over the moon if I can remember the name of the person I’m talking to!).

That’s why you’ll find helpful texts about each historical search-and-find image on every double page. Bettina Kimpel edited my text, checked my facts, and suggested changes where necessary.

The short texts provide context and important information about each era. The texts are based on my research and exciting fact-findings.

Of course, I’ve hidden the most interesting and fun facts in my historical search-and-find book!

Graphic with red background: Photo of the search-and-find book “Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart” (Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart) and Kimberley Hoffman’s yellow research notebook — This is where the journey through Stuttgart’s History launched

Research: Discovering the history of Stuttgart

Historical Thoughts About Time Travel and Fashion

What did I think about before I started researching this story? First, I imagined what it would be like to actually travel through time. I asked myself many questions. My first question was, would I stand out as a time traveler? If so, why?

Then I came up with the answer: my clothes would immediately catch people’s attention. That’s why I dressed up my recurring characters. The daycare group and my relatives wear typical clothing of the era. Only my Roman soldiers are the exception. They always wear the same clothes on every page because the Romans left their mark everywhere in Stuttgart. I also let Duke Christoph travel in his own clothes through time.

Searching for the disguised daycare children is twice as much fun for modern children and adults! And despite their historical costumes, my relatives’ grandchildren and acquaintances spotted them pretty quickly—faster than I expected. I was almost disappointed, but then I consoled myself with the thought that they were recognizable to everyone.

What Did People Do All Day?

I also thought about what it would be like to be a child in different eras. If I were a child in the 17th century (i.e., from 1600 to 1699), what would I play with? Or more importantly, would I play at all? If a child didn’t play, what did they do?

Another question I asked myself is how people lived. What did they do? Where did they live? What moved them? How did they celebrate? Two scenes in the historical search-and-find book depict weddings. Can you spot them?

Of course, I had many more questions. I had questions upon questions. Sometimes my discoveries led to entirely new questions. Often, new sources opened up. Occasionally, these questions really captivated me and delayed my journey through time.

H1: The Stuttgart Hunger Catastrophe Entry from Kimberley Hoffman’s research notebook on the famine of 1816 in Stuttgart. The famine was triggered by a volcanic eruption in Indonesia.

Graphic H1: The Nesenbach River Journal entry describes the course of the Nesenbach through Stuttgart and its diversion in the 14th century.

Graphic H1: Who ruled when? Body text: Was it Konrad? Ludwig? Ulrich? Or Eberhard? There really were many rulers of Württemberg with these names. I had to create a reference list to keep track of them all. Graphic with photo from Kimberley Hoffman's research journal.

Where Do You Start Researching about Stuttgart’s History?

Where do you start researching the history of Stuttgart? In Stuttgart?

Before you even plan a trip—whether it’s a journey through time or a research trip—you should prepare yourself. That’s what I did. And then I booked a hotel room with a kitchen in Stuttgart-Feuerbach.

After a meeting with my editor, I turned to books and the internet. The history book “Wurzeln des Wohlstands” (Roots of Prosperity) by Konrad Theiss provided me with a timeline of significant world events. One of these was the regular postal route between Vienna and Brussels via Cannstatt. You’ll find a hidden yellow stagecoach on one of the double pages. Haven’t spotted it yet? Take a closer look. Maybe I’ll reveal it on social media.

Another detail I uncovered is a fun fact. Did you know that the first German travel agency was founded in Stuttgart in 1842? Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in with the Cannstatter Wasen motif. So you see, not all the interesting tidbits could find a place in »Historische Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart.« (By the way, I think travel would be a great theme for a search-and-find book, “Wimmeln um die Welt” (Wimmel around the world), because Germans love to travel.)

Photo of a stack of books on the history of Stuttgart – the basis for the historical search-and-find book “Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart” (Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart). — These books do talk. And are great inspiration for my historical search-and-find illustrations.

Stuttgart’s History Hidden in Wolfenbuettel

One source that surprised me was the Herzog August Library (also know as the HAB) in Wolfenbüttel, where I live. The HAB has magazines on the history of Württemberg. It also has a collection of old views of Stuttgart and an interesting book on urban development and local transport in Stuttgart.

Anyone who knows Stuttgart is familiar with the yellow “Strampe” or “Schtrambe” — in other words, the local dialect for tram. It is a historic trademark of Stuttgart city life and was the inspiration for the double page about the 1950s and 1960s.

I also took the liberty of writing to complete strangers I found on the internet. All of them had something to do with Stuttgart or the history of Stuttgart. Some of them even called me back. Only one person was unable to help me “due to time constraints.” You have to be able to cope with setbacks like that.

The most important source for my historical search and find images

My most important source was the »Stadtlexikon Stuttgart« (Stuttgart City Encyclopedia) from the Stuttgart City Archives. The city encyclopedia shows the historical development of the city. It has old, historical city maps.

These historical maps were also included in the book »Bilder aus Alt-Stuttgart« (»Pictures of Old Stuttgart«) by Max Bach and Karl Lotter. However, I was able to compare these city maps better online. You can view them in a stack view. They are superimposed on top of each other. This allows you to see the changes in the city. I enjoyed playing with this element. Try it yourself!

It wasn’t just the historical city maps that were helpful. The pop-ups with information about important people, documents, or buildings were a treasure map for me. This information helped me dig up new facts again and again.

Learn history on site – with a city tour

After booking my hotel and train tickets, I booked a tour guide for a city tour through the city of Stuttgart. My experience in Mannheim, Heilbronn, and Ludwigsburg taught me that you learn a lot by asking the locals.

My tour guide didn’t just show me the historical sights. Without her, I might not have noticed the Monday demonstration »Stuttgart 21.« She told me about life in Stuttgart – about modern life and how the people of Stuttgart used to live. She also showed me where the people of Stuttgart like to eat their ice cream. Want to know where? Then take a look at the back of my search-and-find book. Then you’ll understand why.

By the end of my research, I had filled two journals with my notes and little sketches. I also used a wonderful database app — TapForms 5 — to record my sources.

Graphic H1: The Zwinger and the city moat Sketch in the journal shows the city moat and the Zwinger in Stuttgart – part of the historic defensive fortifications.

Sketch in the journal shows the city moat and the Zwinger in Stuttgart – part of the historic defensive fortifications.

Notebook page with copy of etching of the pleasure garden which inspired a sketch for the caption “Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart.”

H1: From a bird's eye view This graphic depicts a notebook and shows two cutouts from Google Earth that have been pasted in and opened up.

From sketch to search-and-find image to search-and-find book

I made little sketches in my journals, especially in the first one when I was in Stuttgart. They’re little more than doodles. You probably wouldn’t understand them, nor would you find them beautiful. But for me, they’re like short notes — quick, simple, and incredibly important.

I also printed out pictures from Google Maps and from archives to help me get my bearings. Sometimes I sketched to understand terms, such as the word “Zwinger.” At first, I thought of the term “dog kennel.” which is Hundezwinger (German is not my native language, but I am not bad at it).

A »Zwinger« is an area between two defensive walls. It is used for city defense. It was not intended for dogs, but sometimes the citizens kept their livestock there. If you wanted to go into or attack the city, you would be “forced” (in German »gezwungen«) to walk between the defensive walls. That’s why this place is called a “Zwinger.”

Although you don’t see a Zwinger in my search-and-find book »Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart« (Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart), it’s important to understand such terms. Then you can understand the development of the city.

Sketches of historical fashion in Kimberley Hoffman’s research journal. They were inspired by old paintings. — From doublets to poodle skirts: fashion shows how times (and styles) change.

Sketching means understanding

I took plenty of photos on my cell phone, but sometimes I get further by making simple sketches. My search-and-find book is a journey through time in Stuttgart. Of course, I also drew sketches of historical fashion.

Actually, I had a travel watercolor set, sketchbook, and brushes with me in Stuttgart. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to use them in Stuttgart’s museums. The reason for this was a protest group that destroyed and damaged works of art in museums. It wasn’t possible for me to take all my painting equipment into the exhibition rooms.

This is because museums not only have an educational mission but also a duty to protect cultural assets. Bags were not allowed in the exhibitions, not even transparent ones. I was allowed to carry a pencil and my small notebook with me. Although this was very annoying and disappointing, ultimately these actions are also part of our modern history.

This historical search-and-find illustration (excerpt) shows kindergarten kids in Bad Cannstatt during Roman times. They are wearing Germanic clothing. The teacher Johanna is cooking a green soup. Four of the kindergarten kids, two boys and two girls, are with her. The boys are already holding their soup bowls.

This historical search-and-find illustration (detail) shows the Kindergarten Kids in the 12th century. Everyone, including the teachers Johanna and Cemil, is wearing clothes from that period. A girl, Lea, who usually uses a wheelchair, sits in a handcart with her four rabbits. Johanna pushes the cart. The kindergarten kids catch colorful butterflies.

This search-and-find illustration (detail) shows the kindergarten kids as they are today. They are at a famous historical fountain in Stuttgart that has a beautiful view and are happily excited to get some ice cream. Teacher Cemil has taken a photo of three of the girls. The corn mice are sitting by the fountain. Simon is finishing his ice cream.

Children, culture, context – target groups in focus

My search and find book about the history of Stuttgart, »Historischer Wimmelspass in Stuttgart,« is primarily intended for children. It is an important format that allows children to learn about the history and traditions of the Stuttgart region.

Nevertheless, I repeatedly see how much adults enjoy search-and-find books and search-and-find images. Search-and-find images are a bridge to their own childhood, allowing them to make new discoveries and, yes, even enjoy them.

Adults and children alike enjoy these journeys through time.

Illustration with text H1: Post-war poverty Illustration: A retired couple wanders through Stuttgart in the 1950s and 1960s with a cart, collecting rags to make ends meet. — Few pensioners in post-war Germany were able to enjoy the German »Economic Miracle.« Difficult topics such as this are handled with care in this search-and-find illustration.

Should we omit the dark facts?

My search-and-find book stimulates the imagination while also dealing sensitively with the dark side of history. Search-and-find images provide space to ask questions about society, hunger, or child labor.

Children worked in the Middle Ages and helped with household chores on wash day.

Older adults in the 1950s and 1960s often had a hard time because their life savings were often obliterated in World War II. They often had to sell newspapers or collect rags to make ends meet.

I tell these stories gently and with empathy.

Illustration: Four Roman soldiers unload a barge full of amphorae – scene from the historical search-and-find book “Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart” (Historical Wimmel Fun in Stuttgart).

A Roman soldier (people of color) stands on the balcony of a modern bank holding up a Deutschmark coin – a busy connection between antiquity and the German economic miracle.

Two girls in 1950s style cruise in a pink car. One is wearing a poodle skirt, the other is holding a record in the air – rock ‘n’ roll history on four wheels.

Historical search-and-find illustrations as a bridge in museums

The scenes in a historical search-and-find book can illustrate the contradictions of the “German economic miracle.” It can also easily show the contrasts between a ducal wedding and a simple Roman marriage vow.

You can use them in education as visual storytelling to complement your offering—as a search-and-find book, as individual search-and-find images, or, for example, as search-and-find coloring pages.

My search-and-find images show people’s everyday lives.

How? When I draw everyday objects, such as a watering can or a toy, I bring them to life because I give them context.

This, in turn, builds a bridge for your audience and my readers. I show what it was like »back in the day.« A pipe tells of a long-forgotten tobacco pleasure; a hula hoop tells of a popular trend and a political event: Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA.

Even small things have meaning if you look closely. They are accessible to everyone.