Der Strandkorb

They say the wind belongs to the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany’s most northeasterly state, like waves belong to the Baltic. It was here that Wilhelm Bartelmann (Hofkorbmachermeister, court+basket+maker+master) produced his first ‘Strandkorb’ (beach basket), at the request of a woman suffering from rheumatism over 120 years ago. They became extremely popular in the twenties, and haven’t lost ground since. The Bartelmann family did not become rich as a result of this however, because Bartelmann never registered a patent for them.

You can get your own, but they’re not cheap, even inflatable versions go for around 200 bucks. I hope to sit in one someday, fully clothed.