drupa blog # 2: Dance of the Heidelbergs

The Heidelberg press conference was packed with journalists jammed together in hall 2 in front of the new Speedmaster XL 162 press which looks enormous.

Mind you, it's not surprising that the space was so tight given the amount of gear that the company has on its stand - probably the most complete and comprehensive collection of offset printing and finishing gear ever assembled in the history of mankind. Now that's got a nice ring to it.

Impressive though it was, the highlight of the evening was the entertainment that followed in the Heidelberg hospitality tent just across the road from the showground. Well, they call it a tent but in truth it's a ready-made banqueting hall complete with fountains and specially commissioned works of art.

The star turn, apart from Bernhard Schreier's welcoming speech, was a dance troupe from New York who performed a truly amazing 'shadow-play' history of print and the written word - it had to be seen to be believed. This was followed by a high energy (or Hei-energy as Schreier called it) dance routine to which the assembled journos gave a standing ovation.

Say what you like about Heidelberg but they sure know how to do it in style.

Deer oh deer
Has Heidelberg let Bambi loose in the print halls? Scattered amongst its machinery are these stuffed reindeer whose purpose or symbolism is a little uncertain. Something to do with the environment methinks. Anyway, it makes for a very nice photo op – everybody say Aaaaah.

The Flash Drive
Amazingly, no flash drive from Heidelberg! What are we to make of this? Interestingly, there is a receptacle in the press kit to hold a flash drive but no drive ... Did they simply forget? Anyway, we'll have to make do with using the enclosed CD. That's, like, so yesterday.

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