German navy challenged shipyards to design an armoured cruiser according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1907-1908 no. 5

An item referred to the magazine Schiffbau reporting that last year the German navy started a competition for the best design of a armoured cruiser which was won by the Weserwerft, Bremen, Germany. Second place Blohm&Voss, Hamburg, Germany and 3rd place navy yard at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Other competitors were Vulcan, Stettin, Germaniawerft at Kiel, Schichau werft and the navy yard at Kiel.