via caranddriver.com

The graphic itself is less than stellar, but the information it calls out is fascinating. Mostly, beyond the mere expense of the display, the accounting of the time, planning, people, and supplies required to build this miniature and temporary temple to personal transportation is rather astounding. A year of planning, 25 days to build, at 24-hours a day. 85 hosts?! One of these years, I’ll make to Frankfurt to witness the spectacle.

Beyond the statistics, I find this infogrpahic to be a useful example of how certain industries have risen beyond their ostensible place in the economy, say, into the fabric of culture. Auto manufacturers are a prime example – along with Hollywood, Apple, and professional sports – of fields which popular interest extends far deeper than the finished product. People want to know the inner workings, the industry machinations, the personalities behind the products, and of course the human drama behind the scenes.

Of course, “most people” don’t follow all of these industries closely. Most people just enjoy their iPod, rather than worship at the Church of Steve Jobs. Most people don’t know James Cameron from Kirk Cameron, or DSG from Tiptronic. But millions of people do. And for us, for those who care, we can all be industry insiders. So now, you know.