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Geomag, stylized as GEOMAG, represents a magnetic construction toy that has gained recognition over time. It is characterized by a collection of bars, each endowed with a neodymium alloy magnet at both ends, connected by a magnetic plug coated with polypropylene, and nickel-coated metal spheres. Through the magnetic forces at play, these elements interlock, allowing for diverse and creative constructions. The inventor and patent holder of Geomag is Claudio Vicentelli, who introduced this innovation in May 1998. The manufacturing of Geomag products is presently undertaken by Geomagworld SA, based in Novazzano, Switzerland. Over the years, the product lines have expanded beyond the initial model, now referred to as Geomag PRO. To align with the 2009/48/EC law's nickel content regulations for toys, Geomag has adjusted its designs to feature spheres coated with a bronze alloy that adheres to the new requirements.

Invention and Patent:

In May 1998, Claudio Vicentelli, a specialist in practical applications of permanent magnets and the mind behind a magnetic circuit-based product,[1] conceptualized and christened this innovation as "GEOMAG."

The patented design essentially outlines the setup of the Geomag bars, which incorporate a metal pin connecting two magnets positioned at opposite ends, along with metallic spheres. The primary objective of this configuration was to minimize the use of magnetic material, thereby reducing production expenses.

Global Expansion of Geomag:

Geomag made its debut in the Italian toy chain store Città del Sole in 1999. The year 2000 marked Geomag's presence at significant toy fairs in Milan, Nuremberg, and New York. Nevertheless, differences in the product's evolution led to the termination of the collaboration between Vicentelli and Plastwood in the same year.

In January 2003, the Swiss company "Geomag SA" was created, headquartered in Ticino. Vincentelli and Geomag SA signed an agreement allowing for the production of the patented construction toy line.

The formation of Swiss company "Geomag SA" took place in January 2003, with headquarters situated in Ticino. This laid the foundation for the production and marketing initiatives of Geomag products, which included the introduction of panels made of semi-transparent colored polycarbonate (triangular platforms, rhombi, squares, and pentagons) for decorative and structural support purposes. This move was notably successful, accounting for 35% of the global market and establishing Geomag as a distinct entity among its competitors. This success was further solidified by a patent acquired from Vicentelli..^[1]

2004 witnessed Vicentelli's settlement of the trademark and patent pertaining to a strategic game named "magnetic challenge," incorporating the Geomag bars' patent. In the same year, the G-Baby line, aimed at younger children, was introduced, featuring magnetic cubes and half-spheres with magnetic faces.

The advent of Magnetix, offering a product similar to Geomag, coupled with the influx of magnetic toys and concerns over product quality (including incidents linked to Chinese-made products), posed challenges. This led to international regulators such as ASTM USA and the European Commission instituting a rule dictating that products small enough to fit within a test cylinder could only be sold to children aged 14 and above.

Consequently, to adhere to these new regulations, the original Geomag bars were elongated to 58 mm from their initial 27 mm length. The original Geomag variant is now known as Geomag PRO, with an age designation of 14 and above. It is noteworthy that Geomag PRO is no longer marketed as a conventional toy.

Crisis and rebirth

The competitive landscape proved challenging for Geomag SA, as it primarily focused on a single product. Hindered by the absence of regulations and an influx of advertising materials, the company ceased operations in November 2007. Despite this setback, the market displayed substantial potential, estimated at around 400 million dollars, which underscored the need for Geomag SA's continued presence as a significant player in the field.

The year 2008 marked the search for potential partners to facilitate rapid recovery and the implementation of successful product strategies. This led to the establishment of Geomagworld SA, spearheaded by a group of entrepreneurs.

In 2009, Geomagworld SA's definitive revival began. The company initiated a process of partial re-industrialization, eventually leading to the production of 58 mm magnetic bars in compliance with the European Standard EN71. These bars formed the foundation for the kids' product lines (for ages +3), incorporating color variations (bars and spheres) and panels (bars, spheres, and reinforcement panels for both decorative and structural use).

The original 27 mm bars, still in production, were rebranded as the Geomag PRO line, comprising pro color, pro metal, and pro panel variants. This line transitioned away from the conventional toy image, rendering it suitable for the adult market. Its patented circuitry allows the bars to exert a magnetic attraction force over 200 times their weight (4.5 grams). The G-Baby line, tailored to younger children, maintained its alignment with the latest regulations..

Awards

References

^ EP 1349626

External links

Official website
Geomag Masters - Geomag Fan

[1] EP 1349626

[1]

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 [[File:Mathieu 12 icosahedron.jpg|thumb|right|An icosahedron constructed with Geomag rods and spheres]]
-'''Geomag''' (stylised as '''GEOMAG''') is a magnetic construction toy. The original toy consisted of bars with a magnet on each end ([[Neodymium magnet|neodymium alloy]]) attached by a magnetic plug (coated with [[polypropylene]]) and nickel-coated metal spheres. Magnetic forces hold the bars and spheres together, creating the possibility for many constructions. The Geomag was invented and patented by Claudio Vicentelli in May 1998. Production is currently undertaken by Geomagworld SA, in [[Novazzano]], Switzerland. Product lines have expanded from the original model (now called Geomag PRO). To comply with restrictions placed on nickel content in toys by the 2009/48/EC law, Geomag has re-modeled the spheres with a [[bronze]] alloy coating to comply with the new regulations.
+Geomag, stylized as GEOMAG, represents a magnetic construction toy that has gained recognition over time. It is characterized by a collection of bars, each endowed with a [[Neodymium magnet|neodymium alloy]] magnet at both ends, connected by a magnetic plug coated with [[polypropylene]], and nickel-coated metal spheres. Through the magnetic forces at play, these elements interlock, allowing for diverse and creative constructions. The inventor and patent holder of Geomag is Claudio Vicentelli, who introduced this innovation in May 1998. The manufacturing of Geomag products is presently undertaken by Geomagworld SA, based in [[Novazzano]], Switzerland. Over the years, the product lines have expanded beyond the initial model, now referred to as Geomag PRO. To align with the 2009/48/EC law's nickel content regulations for toys, Geomag has adjusted its designs to feature spheres coated with a [[bronze]] alloy that adheres to the new requirements.
-==Invention==
+== Invention and Patent: ==
-In May 1998, Claudio Vicentelli, experienced in technical applications of permanent magnets and the creator of a product deposited for the magnetic circuit,<ref>{{patent|EP|1080476}}</ref> created this product and the brand name "GEOMAG."
+In May 1998, Claudio Vicentelli, a specialist in practical applications of permanent magnets and the mind behind a magnetic circuit-based product,[1] conceptualized and christened this innovation as "GEOMAG."
-The patented design outlines the configuration of the circuit made by the Geomag bars, consisting of two magnets on either end connected by a metal pin and metallic spheres. The design aims to reduce production costs by minimizing the use of magnetic material.
+The patented design essentially outlines the setup of the Geomag bars, which incorporate a metal pin connecting two magnets positioned at opposite ends, along with metallic spheres. The primary objective of this configuration was to minimize the use of magnetic material, thereby reducing production expenses.
+== Global Expansion of Geomag: ==
-In August 1998, the license to manufacture and market the Geomag products worldwide was granted to Plastwood S.r.l.
+Geomag made its debut in the Italian toy chain store Città del Sole in 1999. The year 2000 marked Geomag's presence at significant toy fairs in Milan, Nuremberg, and New York. Nevertheless, differences in the product's evolution led to the termination of the collaboration between Vicentelli and Plastwood in the same year.
-== Geomag worldwide ==
-Gemoag retailed in the Italian chain toy shop ''Città del Sole'' through 1999. In January and February 2000, Geomag was shown at toy fairs in Milan, Nuremberg, and New York, with generally positive receptions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In the same year, due to the difference in views on the development of the products, the relationship between Vicentelli and Plastwood ended.
 In January 2003, the Swiss company "Geomag SA" was created, headquartered in [[Ticino]]. Vincentelli and Geomag SA signed an agreement allowing for the production of the patented construction toy line.
-At the end of July 2003, Geomag SA began the production and marketing campaigns of the products, including the development of ''panel'' (triangular platforms, rhombi, squares, and pentagonal semi-transparent coloured [[polycarbonate]], that can be used to fill gaps between the bars of the structure, providing decoration and support). This was successful, representing 35% of the global market, and became an important product line for Geomag as it differentiated the company from its imitators. This development is also a result of a patent licensed from Vicentelli.<ref>{{patent|EP|1349626}}</ref>
+The formation of Swiss company "Geomag SA" took place in January 2003, with headquarters situated in Ticino. This laid the foundation for the production and marketing initiatives of Geomag products, which included the introduction of panels made of semi-transparent colored [[polycarbonate]] (triangular platforms, rhombi, squares, and pentagons) for decorative and structural support purposes. This move was notably successful, accounting for 35% of the global market and establishing Geomag as a distinct entity among its competitors. This success was further solidified by a patent acquired from Vicentelli..<ref>{{patent|EP|1349626}}</ref>
-In 2004 Vicentelli settled the trademark and patent related to a strategic game called ''magnetic challenge'' with the patent for Geomag bars. Another patent concerning blocks from a product line that never entered the market acted as the supporting skeleton of the construction. In 2005 the ''G-Baby'' line of toys was introduced, consisting of cubes and half-spheres with magnetic faces. This line is targeted at younger children.
+witnessed Vicentelli's settlement of the trademark and patent pertaining to a strategic game named "magnetic challenge," incorporating the Geomag bars' patent. In the same year, the G-Baby line, aimed at younger children, was introduced, featuring magnetic cubes and half-spheres with magnetic faces.
-At the end of the year, ''Magnetix'' entered the market, offering a similar product to Geomag.  A combination of this new competitor and the increase in the availability of magnetic toys (alongside the occurrence of accidents related to poor quality of Chinese-made products) created problems in the market. This resulted in attention from international regulators for quality (''ASTM USA'' and the ''European Commission''). In 2007 regulators introduced a rule specifying that if the dimension of the parts or a toy are small enough to fit in a test cylinder, the product can only be sold to children +14.
+The advent of Magnetix, offering a product similar to Geomag, coupled with the influx of magnetic toys and concerns over product quality (including incidents linked to Chinese-made products), posed challenges. This led to international regulators such as ASTM USA and the European Commission instituting a rule dictating that products small enough to fit within a test cylinder could only be sold to children aged 14 and above.
-This new regulation resulted in the elongation of the Geomag bars to 58&nbsp;mm compared to the original Geomag bars of 27&nbsp;mm. The original Geomag is now called Geomag PRO and has an age target of +14. It is not advertised as a toy.
+Consequently, to adhere to these new regulations, the original Geomag bars were elongated to 58 mm from their initial 27 mm length. The original Geomag variant is now known as Geomag PRO, with an age designation of 14 and above. It is noteworthy that Geomag PRO is no longer marketed as a conventional toy.
 ==Crisis and rebirth==
+The competitive landscape proved challenging for Geomag SA, as it primarily focused on a single product. Hindered by the absence of regulations and an influx of advertising materials, the company ceased operations in November 2007. Despite this setback, the market displayed substantial potential, estimated at around 400 million dollars, which underscored the need for Geomag SA's continued presence as a significant player in the field.
-Geomag SA took a severe hit in the competitive struggle as it was essentially a single-product company. It was affected by the lack of rules and the subsequent influx of advertising material and was forced to close in November 2007.
-However, the market still showed strong potential (estimated at around 400 million dollars) whereby Geomag SA still remained the only company with a strong point of reference in the field.
-began the hunt for new potential partners, which would allow the group to recover quickly and implement the product strategies to the market that will prove to be successful. A group of entrepreneurs gave birth to a new society, Geomagworld SA.
+The year 2008 marked the search for potential partners to facilitate rapid recovery and the implementation of successful product strategies. This led to the establishment of Geomagworld SA, spearheaded by a group of entrepreneurs.
-was the year of the definitive rebirth. Geomagworld SA started a process of partial re-industrialization and in April began the production of the 58&nbsp;mm magnetic bar in order to comply with the European Standard EN71. The bar eventually formed the ''kids'' lines (aged +3), along with ''colour'' (bars and spheres) and ''panel'' (bars, spheres, and panels for reinforcement and a decorative effect ).
+In 2009, Geomagworld SA's definitive revival began. The company initiated a process of partial re-industrialization, eventually leading to the production of 58 mm magnetic bars in compliance with the European Standard EN71. These bars formed the foundation for the kids' product lines (for ages +3), incorporating color variations (bars and spheres) and panels (bars, spheres, and reinforcement panels for both decorative and structural use).
-The original bar (27&nbsp;mm), of which production still continues, became the new line ''pro'' consisting of ''pro colour'', ''pro metal,'' and ''pro panel'', and lost its image of being a toy and its rights to be offered to the public under 14 years of age. The line ''pro'' is still highly appreciated and consumed by the adult target market, thanks to its patented circuit and high performance as the bars are able to develop a magnetic attraction force equal to more than 200 times its own weight (4.5 grams). The ''G-Baby'' line maintained its characteristics as it is in line with all the new regulations.
+The original 27 mm bars, still in production, were rebranded as the Geomag PRO line, comprising pro color, pro metal, and pro panel variants. This line transitioned away from the conventional toy image, rendering it suitable for the adult market. Its patented circuitry allows the bars to exert a magnetic attraction force over 200 times their weight (4.5 grams). The G-Baby line, tailored to younger children, maintained its alignment with the latest regulations..
 == Awards ==