Department 56 North Pole Series: The Traditional and the Modern

Dept 56, North Pole,
"Trimming the North Pole," #56081

Among the elves and the reindeer of the Christmas miniature village in Department 56 North Pole, as in all political spheres, there are  traditionalists, who adhere to their long-standing cultural norms, and there are modernists, and nonconformists, who support the organic evolution of their culture.Dept 56 North Pole Collection "Trimming the North Pole"-1990 #5608-1

This difference of outlook is expressed in many ways, including through the institutions elves and reindeer support, activities they participate in, and very critically, in how they view the important cultural artifact, the Christmas tree.

Dept. 56, North Pole Series,
"Reindeer Flight School," #56404

Reindeer Education and Work In every suburb of North Pole Village, you can see traditionalist forces at work.  For example, visit some favorite reindeer haunts, such as the Reindeer Flight School.  All reindeer are expected to follow a rigorous academic-deer course at this most traditional institution.Department 56 North Pole Reindeer Flight School

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Flight Training," #57232

Here, during Flight Training, Santa's deer attend required courses in aeronautical sciences, studying toy weight distribution in sleighs, all-weather launching techniques, and navigational skills, like star-vector analysis. Department 56 North Pole Flight Training

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's Sleigh Launch," 56734

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Training Camp," 56436

Because of the physical nature of their work and the stress of their jobs, all working reindeer are assigned personal trainers.  The goal of the trainers, who operate out of the Reindeer Training Camp, is to craft each rangifer (the scientific moniker of reindeer) into a lean, non-mean flying machine.  It is vigorous physical education, with its roots in the training curriculum of Athens's classical age gymnasiums.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Games," 56853

On the other hand, modernist reindeer have adopted new,  and controversial, training techniques to more accurately reflect the gestalt of reindeer life.  Instead of just physical training that emphasizes competition, some reindeer prefer to train in non-competitive venues, like Reindeer Games.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Spa," 56794

Additionally, after exercise, some reindeer believe that retiring to a calm and relaxed atmosphere, such as the Reindeer Spa, helps them gain perspective, relax and recharge, to better perform reindeer duty. Department 56 North Pole Reindeer Spa

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"A Well Deserved Reindeer Massage,"  #57210

Frequently, a Well Deserved Reindeer Massage is ordered to help relieve stress and the ache from muscle exhaustion.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Elves' Trade School, #56387

Elvan Education and Work In the Elf spheres, the forces of traditionalism versus modernism are just as pronounced.  Most elves are educated at the Elves Trade School, which, like the Reindeer Flight School, has a long history of meritorious service in the North Pole.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Leonardo and Vincent," #56801

In this venerable institution, each generation of Elvan students aisre trained in the Elvan "Trivium," including 1) fine arts, such as oil painting and "Polar Carving," as a medium to develop discipline for creative planning and toy production; 2) music, for coordination during manufacturing; and 3) rhetoric, for excellent communications with human target groups.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Polar Carving," #799957

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Passing Inspection with Flying Colors," #56898

After training, elf students are required to pass stringent tests which evaluate their toy-making expertise, a procedure called "Passing Inspection."  But traditionally-trained elves, as well as those who have advanced through less traditional career paths, have been forced to be receptive to new, contemporary, cutting-edge toys and technologies.

Dept 56, North Pole,
"Testing Video Games is the Perfect Job,"  #56875

In order to respond to requests from technologically skilled human children, for example, elves now enhance their computer skills with required courses, such as "Testing Video Games." Department 56 North Pole Testing Video Games Is The Perfect Job!

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Robbie's Robot Factory," #799998

Forward thinking  student elves also  update their electronic skill-sets in order to land prestigious jobs producing modern electronic toys in the North Pole's most advanced facilities, such as "Robbie's Robot Factory." D56 Dept 56 North Pole Robbie's Robot Factory

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's Sleigh Maker," #56950

Traditional and Modern Approaches to Transportation  Traditional and modern approaches are also being tested in the field of transportation in North Pole Village.  Traditionalist mechanics make sure that Santa's time-honored and most reliable mode of transportation, his sleigh, is in tip-top shape.  At the community "Santa's Sleigh Maker" facility, the latest operational and design data are incorporated into each year's model.Department 56 North Pole Santa Sleigh Maker Set of 2

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's New Sleigh-Design #56," 57218

Note, however, elves typically use the older system of design technology, as in "Santa's New Sleigh-Design #56.)  Only recently have elves begun to utilize CAD-design processes, producing exciting new innovations.Department 56 North Pole Santas New Sleigh Design 56

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"A Happy Harley Day," 56706

Additionally, Santa recently was convinced to test-drive and adopt other, more modern and cutting-edge, transportation technologies, such as the North Pole Harley Davidson.  Santa was recently quoted in the North Pole Journal, discussing his new hobby of motocycle riding: "Two runners move the presents.  Two wheels move the soul."

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Let's Give It a Spin," #56441

Other advanced technical transportation modes are researched and developed at the "Hot Wheels Custom Car Shop." Let's Give It A Spin

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Motorcycle Test Drive," #799956

Testing of all new vehicles is conducted by volunteer elf engineers, who embrace new technologies. Department 56 North Pole Motorcycle Test Drive

Department 56, North Pole,
"Needle's Tree Farm, 56783

Christmas Tree Design and Production  It is the design and production of the Christmas tree, however, that best exemplifies how differently traditional and more "modern" groups in the North Pole think.  Any discussion of Christmas trees must begin at Needle's Tree Farm.  This quaint and fresh-fragranced lodge for many generations has been the store of choice for procuring traditional "live" (i.e., "dead,") real Christmas trees .  Thousands of trees are sold every year to elf and reindeer families.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Delivering the Christmas Greens," #56373

Of course, given that the North Pole is happily situated in one of the largest old growth forests in the cosmos, and given that it is still sparsely-populated because of the inhospitable environment, (despite cosmic global warming,) some elves by-pass the commercial route.  Instead they make a tradition of finding, potting, and "Delivering the Christmas Greens" themselves to their families and friends for the holidays. Department 56 Delivering the Christmas Greens - Heritage Village

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"The Real Artificial Tree Factory,"  #4020205

In contrast, a group of environmentally conscious elves decided to try to cut down on the deforestation of the North Pole virgin tree canopies.  They conceived of a plan to produce and use real artificial Christmas trees.  Their new factory, "The Real Artificial Tree Factory," which opened recently, is now selling 31% of all Christmas Trees to North Pole Village, while employing hundreds of newly-trained elves. North Pole Village from Department 56Real Artificial Tree Factory

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Tinting the Trees," #4020210

The real artificial tree manufacturing workforce is being given in-depth instruction in artificial tree design, decoration techniques, and tinting practices by the factory elves.  Production is rising rapidly.  In fact, the company is on track to overtake real live ("dead") Christmas tree production within 7.3629 years, approximately.  North Pole Village from Department 56 Tinting The Trees

As you can see, therefore, the communities of the Department 56 North Pole are flexible enough to accommodate not only those people and industries that may well be termed traditional, but also those groups that are trying new and nonconformist technologies.  For now, this provides a robust complex of old features and new thinking, which should sustain the culture and economy for many years to come.