The company Design Berlin
was founded in 1948 by Hubert
Hartmann, who was originally
from Thüringen. In the
1970ies, it was renamed in db-
Design Berlin and in 1983 it
was taken over by TABAK
PLANTA-MANUFAKTUR . This is
how the company evolved to a
modern pipe manufacturer.
There are about 45 different
series of pipes, which are still
distinguished on the one hand
by their classical and
traditional form, on the other
hand most of the series are
built in a modern design to
address the young pipe
smokers. Lothar Schirwitz, the
creative designer, who is
responsable for the modern
development, is also leading
the manufacturing since the
end of 1960ies.