The profession of industrial design has come a long way since its early days. Take a deep dive into the archives of 5 iconic WDO Member corporations and discover the designs that made their mark on personal care, professional practices and recreational habits around the world.
RDL Chair, Andreu World
Made entirely of solid oak, the RDL chair expresses precision in woodworking. Initially launched in 1991 as Radical, the RDL collection was designed by Spanish designer Lievore Altherr Molina and comprises lounge chairs, benches, chairs, armchairs, and stools. The collection was rebranded in 2002 and is an iconic member of Andreu World‘s seating family. Offering a lesson in what good design must be so that it lasts a lifetime, the RDL chair embraces tradition, sustainability and technical expertise.
Ski-Doo, Bombardier Recreational Products
Designed in 1959 by the founder of Bombardier Recreational Products, Joseph-Armand Bombardier, the Ski-Doo represents the first recreational snowmobile. The design first found popularity amongst rural travelers – missionaries, trappers, surveyors, hunters, and prospectors before eventually gaining traction with recreational riders. With models from high performance to utility, the Ski-Doo continues to revolutionize the arena of winter sports to this day.
Sixtant SM 31 Electric Shaver, Braun
Designed by Gerd A. Muller and Hans Gugelot, the Sixtant SM 31 is one of Braun’s best-regarded electric razors. Launched in 1962, the razor leveraged new technology to provide an improved and more precise trimming system. It was also the first black shaver, prior to the Sixtant all electric razors had been either white or cream coloured. When it was released, the product broke all previous sales records at Braun, selling over eight million units at the time.
Lettera 22 Portable Typewriter, Olivetti
Olivetti’s Lettera 22 was designed by Marcello Nizzoli, in collaboration with the engineer Giuseppe Beccio in 1950. It represents the first example of a portable typewriter, compact and easy to transport and manageable. The product won many awards, and in 1959, the Illinois Institute of Technology chose Letter 22 as the best design product of the last 100 years.
Wonder Bowl, Tupperware
Originally introduced in 1949, Tupperware’s Wonder Bowl started a revolution in kitchens all across the globe. The all-purpose plastic storage container was invented with an airtight closure, which was much lighter and stronger than the traditional glass and potter. The product has remained an iconic part of Tupperware’s identity throughout the decades, and was recently rebranded as the Wonderlier Bowl.
