In the bustling city of London, globemaker Peter Bellerby and his team of artists, cartographers, and woodworkers are keeping the ancient art of globemaking alive. Bellerby's passion for creating globes was sparked when he went into debt to make one for his father's 80th birthday in 2008. Since then, his company has produced about 600 globes a year, ranging from small ones priced at 1,290 British pounds to the luxurious 50-inch Churchill model that fetches six figures.

Despite the rise of digital technologies, Bellerby believes that globes still hold a special place in people's hearts due to their three-dimensional nature, the desire to physically interact with them, and the beauty of their map images. However, the relevance of globes in today's world is a topic of debate. Some, like Jan Mokre of the International Coronelli Society for the Study of Globes, see them as works of art and history that evoke nostalgia, while others, like Joshua Nall of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, view them as items of prestige.

Globemaking is not without its challenges, as countries have different views on how their territories should be depicted. Bellerby's company faces issues with customs officials in regions with disputed borders, such as India, China, North Africa, and the Middle East. Despite these political sensitivities, Bellerby remains committed to accuracy and marks disputed borders as such on his globes.

The allure of Bellerby's globes extends beyond private collectors and businesses to the world of cinema. His creations have appeared in movies like “Hugo” and "Tetris," where they serve as visually stunning props. Even some of the planet's wealthiest individuals, like German magnate Reinhold Wurth, have been captivated by Bellerby's work, with his family gifting him a Churchill globe for his 83rd birthday.

In a world where technology reigns supreme, Bellerby and his team are preserving a timeless tradition that connects people to the planet they call home. The globes they create are not just accurate representations of the world but also exquisite pieces of art that capture the beauty and complexity of our planet. As Bellerby himself says, "A globe is very much something that connects you to the planet that we live on.".