Hi all,
I am working on a history of design that differs significantly from currently available works. Functionality, reliability, usability and similar attributes all take precedence over aesthetics. Many of the icons of modern design, Rietveld chairs for example, are getting placed by me in a category named Industrial Sculpture for items that look cool but do not function (try sitting in one — the Inquisition would have loved it). On the other hand things like the HP ThinkJet that are ignored in the standard works get featured in mine. (Imagine the SOHO office revolution or photo-printing as we now have it without HP's inkjet technology).
The objects must all be those used or owned by individuals, so no Concorde jets or Thirties diesel trains either. This has been a fascinating journey thus far as in most object-classes I've investigated their history and technology. It's a lot of research but I don't get bored ;-)
One of the grotesquely deficient areas in the standard works is consumer electronics, particularly high-fidelity. I am taking special care in this area to research truly innovative and truly superior product from roughly 1932 until the present. I am also not focused on just the best but also the best-value so an Advent 300 gets as much space as a Convergent Audio Technology SL-1.
I will periodically ask for help and opinions (and will be doing so in another post in a few minutes) however in order to maintain a high S/N ratio I will not be posting many opinions initially, instead waiting until I've had a chance to skim the many extant posts here and therefore contribute meaningfully.
I'm glad to be here and hope to "meet" you all.
Terry
I am working on a history of design that differs significantly from currently available works. Functionality, reliability, usability and similar attributes all take precedence over aesthetics. Many of the icons of modern design, Rietveld chairs for example, are getting placed by me in a category named Industrial Sculpture for items that look cool but do not function (try sitting in one — the Inquisition would have loved it). On the other hand things like the HP ThinkJet that are ignored in the standard works get featured in mine. (Imagine the SOHO office revolution or photo-printing as we now have it without HP's inkjet technology).
The objects must all be those used or owned by individuals, so no Concorde jets or Thirties diesel trains either. This has been a fascinating journey thus far as in most object-classes I've investigated their history and technology. It's a lot of research but I don't get bored ;-)
One of the grotesquely deficient areas in the standard works is consumer electronics, particularly high-fidelity. I am taking special care in this area to research truly innovative and truly superior product from roughly 1932 until the present. I am also not focused on just the best but also the best-value so an Advent 300 gets as much space as a Convergent Audio Technology SL-1.
I will periodically ask for help and opinions (and will be doing so in another post in a few minutes) however in order to maintain a high S/N ratio I will not be posting many opinions initially, instead waiting until I've had a chance to skim the many extant posts here and therefore contribute meaningfully.
I'm glad to be here and hope to "meet" you all.
Terry
