Karl Baedeker 'father of modern tourism'. In 1846, Baedeker introduced his famous 'star' ratings (for sights, attractions and lodgings) in the third edition of his "Handbuch für Reisende durch Deutschland und den Oesterreichischen Kaiserstaat" - an idea based on the Murray guides star system. This edition was also his first 'experimental' red guide. He also decided to call his travel guides 'handbooks', following the example of John Murray III. Baedeker's early guides had tan covers, but from 1856 onwards, Murray's red bindings and gilt lettering became the familiar hallmark of all Baedeker guides as well, and the content became famous for its
Baedeker guides. Baedeker would provide the text and Mair the finished product. The Baedeker Autoführer Verlag, Stuttgart was born. The slim guides called "Baedeker-Shell" guides were designed to fit into a man's jacket pocket or in the glove compartment of a car. The first ones covered Germany and were a huge success. Guides on other European countries followed in both German and English. Karl Friedrich was now operating on two fronts. He continued to produce city and regional guides from Malente and with the publication of his 1954 "Berlin" guide in German, English and French, the Baedeker brand had been well