On July 21, 1950, something happened in Wuppertal that is still unforgotten today: the four-year-old elephant Tuffi jumped from the moving suspension railroad into the Wupper. What sounds like a humorous curiosity today was a spectacular event at the time that made headlines across Germany - and became an integral part of Wuppertal's city history.
How did it come about?
Tuffi was part of a PR stunt by the Althoff circus, which was making a guest appearance in Wuppertal. In order to generate attention, it was decided to let the young elephant ride on the suspension railroad - a project that caused quite a stir among the population at the time. Tuffi was already restless when she boarded the train, and the situation escalated during the ride through Barmen: the animal panicked, broke through a side wall of the suspension railroad and fell into the Wupper.
Miraculously, Tuffi remained virtually unharmed. The passengers also escaped with a scare, although some were slightly injured. Tuffi was subsequently recaptured - and the incident immediately found its way into the newspapers and later into the history books.
A myth is born
What was initially a risky advertising maneuver quickly developed into an anecdote with cult status. There are now many reminders of Tuffi in Wuppertal: from murals and children's books to Tuffi milk, which owes its name to the famous elephant. A sculpture on Werth in Barmen commemorates the unusual episode, as do countless postcards and souvenirs.
Why Tuffi will never be forgotten
Today, Tuffi is emblematic of the extraordinary history of the Wuppertal suspension railroad - a unique means of transportation worldwide that became even more famous as a result of this incident. The elephant jump is often told because it reflects Wuppertal's creative spirit and its special sense of humor.
75 years later: A look back - and forward
To mark the 75th anniversary, we are not only remembering the animal Tuffi, but also the contemporary history associated with it: post-war Germany, the early PR ideas of the circus industry and the role of the suspension railroad as a symbol of progress.
Today, the Wuppertal suspension railroad stands for sustainable mobility, technological tradition and innovation. But the memory of Tuffi shows that the history of technology can also have emotional, curious and sometimes almost unbelievable aspects.
If you want to find out more about Tuffi and the history of the suspension railroad, a visit to the Schwebodrom could be just the thing for you!