This design is based on the snow globe that opens Citizen Kane (1941) and kicks off the mystery of “Rosebud.” But, within this mystery remains another: no one actually knows who made the first snow globe ever put to film.

However, it’s thought to be Erwin Perzy who accidentally invented the snow globe in 1900. As well as a bicycle and typewriter mechanic, Perzy also ran a medical instrument supply business and was commissioned to make an instrument that would amplify the newly-invented lightbulb and make surgeries easier. At first, Perzy thought he could solve the problem with a shoemakers’ lamp, a glass sphere filled with water that would focus light on a work area. When this didn’t do the trick, he sprinkled in tiny bits of reflective glitter to brighten it further - and the glorious snow globe was born.

There are many other fascinating points in the history of the snow globe (like their underwater assembly in the 20s) but for now let’s focus on this new pin version. It measures 46.5mm high, which was the smallest I could make it without sacrificing the effects or details. It has gold plating, four colours, and two pinbacks to keep it firmly in place.