<p>Taking the highest educational and scienfic requirements as a benchmark, SOMSO® has been manufacturing originals for 140 years. Their shape and functionality, as well as the fact that they can be dismantled, makes them the tried and tested basis for stimulating teaching. „Nature is our model“ - this is the guiding principle for the realistic representation as the standard.</p>


<p><strong> Company</strong></p>
<p>The company Marcus Sommer, SOMSO-Werkstätten was founded on  17th July 1876 by Marcus Sommer sen. in Sonneberg,Thuringia. As of 1st January 2007 the company has changed its name to Marcus Sommer SOMSO Modelle GmbH, and continues to be run by the family, currently in its fourth and fifth generation.</p>
<p><strong>SOMSO Slogan - Nature is our model</strong></p>
<p>"Nature is our model" - this is the guiding idea for the realistic representation of nature as the prototype. Continuous new developments and the on-going support by renowned scientists and experts guarantee up-to-date, solid, and pedagogically well-founded imparting of knowledge.</p>
<p><strong>SOMSO® SUN - A SYMBOL OF QUALITY</strong></p>
<p>The figurative logos of the SOMSO® Sun, SOMSO® and SOMSO®-Plast, as well as the green base for our models, are nationally and internationally registered trademarks. Our manufacturing and delivery programme includes anatomical, zoological, botanical teaching models as well as medical training phantoms. Continuing development and on-going input by renowned scientists and experts, guarantees solid, up-to-date and educationally well-founded imparting of knowledge. </p>
<p><strong>Warrianty</strong></p>
<p>SOMSO®, as a worldwide recognised manufacturer, provides a five-year warranty on service life and operational reliability of almost all models (subject to correct use), with the exception of medical training phantoms.
</p>
<p><strong>140 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE</strong></p>
<p>In 1876, Marcus Sommer Snr. founded in his hometown of Sonneberg, Thuringia a factory for the manufacture of anatomical models, which back then were all made exclusivelby hand. His son Fritz, his grandson Marcus Jnr., his great-grandson Hans, his great-great-grandson Louis-Benedikt have continued the company.</p>
<p><strong>Quality</strong></p>
<p>Quality is a multi-layered concern for SOMSO®. In detail, we measure the quality of material, scientific accuracy, paintwork, functionality and durability. Models that undergo this test process are true SOMSO® models. Thus, quality control becomes an important integral part of the entire manufacturing process, as it guarantees the user maximum functional and scientific accuracy. </p>
<p><strong> Material</strong></p>
<p>SOMSO-PLAST® - Hard-wearing synthetic material for series production. The transition from papier mâché to the hard-wearing synthetic material, SOMSO-PLAST®, took many years. Models used in teaching, in particular, must have great mechanical resilience in addition to fulfilling their function as teaching aids. SOMSO® rigorously pursues routes to meet both sets of criteria.</p>
<p><strong>IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION</strong></p>
<ol>
    <li>SOMSO®models are protected by copyright. In case of any replications of SOMSO®models, we reserve the right to assert injunctive reliefs and claims for damages.</li>
    <li>Close collaboration with scientific institutions ensures that SOMSO® models are consistently developed incompliance with the current state of scientific knowledge.</li>
    <li>Highly qualified teaching materials for school and science since 1876 - SOMSO®models are mainly made from virtually unbreakable SOMSO® Plast, provided the numbers have got an "S", such as AS 1 etc. If this is not the case, models are made from durable, plasticized chilled casting.</li>
    <li>The versions, dimensions and weights stated in the catalogue can change as a result of technical or scientific improvements. SOMSO®models are supplied with model descriptions that are prepared by proficient scientists.</li>
    <li>Functional models make biological processes more understandable. All flexibly mounted skeleton parts of category Q are included under functional models. Functional models are subject to normal wear and tear, due to the nature of the material.</li>
    <li>SOMSO®models feature true-to-life representation technique, attention to detail and can be disassembled.</li>
    <li>SOMSO®models are manufactured by a highly qualified and skilled workforce - by hand and exclusively in Sonneberg and Coburg.</li>
</ol>
<p>All rights reserved, especially those of reproduction, copying of illustrations, duplication, translation as well as any form of photo-mechanical, electronic or digital reproduction, also in extracts.</p>
<p><strong>Manufacturing</strong></p>
<p>Manufacturing the original SOMSO® models requires a great degree of specialised and mainly manual work, which is done exclusively by accomplished and experienced specialists in Coburg, Bavaria, and in Sonneberg, Thuringia, where the family company is headquartered. Modern technology and traditional manual work form a rare symbiosis. SOMSO® models therefore have got the unique single piece character of a manufacture.</p>