Design Classic Number 37: Sigg Bottle

Image from Twon

Unbeatable Reuseable Bottle from Biel

Creator: Ferdinand Sigg
Created: 1908
Origin: Biel Switzerland

The Sigg classic traveller drinks bottle is a lightweight aluminium beverage container with a tightly fitting looped screw top and translucent enamel coating in red. The Sigg bottle was born out of the need for a lightweight, unbreakable durable bottle for taking on climbing and hiking trips.

The first bottles were made in Biel Switzerland in 1908 and then later production moved to Frauenfeld in 1917. Production of the aluminium bottles continues to this day in Frauenfeld Switzerland employing skilled local workers. Sigg bottles are sent to customers the world over who appreciate the practical design and the high quality Swiss workmanship and attention to detail.

Ferdinand Sigg developed and refined the technique where by a cylindrical puck of aluminium could be progressively formed into the shape of a bottle and in more recent years refinements have been made to the linings and coatings to further improve performance and efficiency in production. The Swiss reputation for quality and the authenticity of a product which originates from a country of mountains makes for an iconic product particularly in it’s distinctive red translucent finish.

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Design Classic Number 36: Rubik’s Cube

Image from Jin.Thai

Popular Puzzle Still Packs a Punch 

Creator: Erno Rubik
Created: 1974
Origin: Budapest Hungary

Rubik’s cube is a mechanical puzzle where each group of 9 smaller cubes can be rotated relative to the others quickly mixing up the cubes from their original solved position. The puzzle can then be solved by rotating groups of cubes in a number of possible sequences to arrive once again at the solution. The puzzle was created in response to the challenge of finding a way of allowing 36 cubes to be moved in three dimensions around a central pivot point which had previously only been acheived in a 2 by 2 cube rather than a three by three cube.

The first prototype was created in 1976 while the inventor was working at The Budapest College of applied Arts as a Professor and became widely available in 1980. In 1992 the first Rubik’s Cube world championships were staged demonstrating it’s longevity and world wide appeal.

Erno Rubik was able to hold all of the pieces together and yet allow them to rotate relative to one another with only a three dimensional, spring loaded cross at the center which was originally adjustable to reduce or increase the force needed to make rotations. Erno Rubik was able to create this incredible puzzle no doubt through his experience as a sculptor and architect and the subsequent success was down to the inate inginuity and challenge of the puzzle rather than the usual marketing and showmanship.

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Daily Design Classic Number 35: Moleskine Notebook

Image from Pittaya

Take Notes and Make Sketches Like the Greats

Creator: Moleskine Srl
Created: 1997
Origin: Milan Italy

The Moleskine is a pocket sized, leatherette bound notebook with an elasticated black closure and a black ribbon bookmark fixed into the spine. The Moleskine was born out of the need for a notebook that would stay compact and closed in the pocket and not fall open when placed on a table the built in bookmark saves time when making a new note or sketch.

The Moleskine was first popularized in Paris in the 19th and 20th centuries by the many artists and writers of the times. In the late eighties production was ceased temporarily until a small Milanese company produced a batch of 5000 which were soon depleted in the Italian market alone.

The original Milanese company Modo & Modo which made the initial batch of Moleskines decided to focus on increasing production to meet demand within Europe and beyond and since this was now becoming their main ativity decided to register and start trading under the Moleskine name which is now a wdeg oy recognized brand. The books are made with environmentally friendly acid free paper and stitched at the spine to allow the pages to lay flat while sketching or writing. Famous users of the original Parisian Moleskines included Hemmingway, Picasso and Oscar Wilde.

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