| Industrial design covers a huge range of products that | | | | considered by many to be difficult to operate and as |
| have been designed ever since the industrial revolution | | | | such was not so popular. It wasn't until 1925 that the tin |
| when mass markets developed and people started | | | | opener really came into its own, with a two-wheel |
| buying lots of things to improve their home and work | | | | design that made opening tins a great deal easier. |
| lives. This article looks at some of the most famous | | | | Amazingly, the very first 1855 version is still |
| industrial design inventions over the years. | | | | manufactured today! This just demonstrates how |
| The Volkswagon Beetle remains a popular car even | | | | industrial design does not always have to be complex |
| today - certainly one of the most memorable pieces | | | | - sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. |
| of 20th Century industrial design. Although the Beetle is | | | | The bicycle is a piece of industrial design that was |
| somehow synonymous with the free love and | | | | introduced in 1885, and in basic terms has not changed |
| hippy-living of the 1960s, it was instigated by the most | | | | very much since then. Today, there are thought to be |
| evil man, some say, that ever spend time on the planet. | | | | over one billion bicycles around the globe - this is twice |
| He ordered Ferdinand Porsche to design and build a | | | | the number of cars. In many parts of the world, the |
| 'volks wagon' - quite literally a 'people's car'. | | | | bicycle is a primary means of transportation for a lot |
| A newer piece of car industrial design has taken the | | | | of people. |
| place of the original Volkswagon Beetle, in the form a | | | | As global warming and public health becomes more |
| re-design Beetle. As you might expect this car is much | | | | and more of an issue, the bicycle is held up by some |
| sleeker and more modern, but retains the insect like | | | | as a way to reduce transport-related pollution as well |
| charm of the original. | | | | as benefitting those who cycle because it improves |
| The humble tin opener is also a piece of highly | | | | cardio-vascular fitness which in turn is likely to reduce |
| regarded and highly useful industrial design. The first | | | | risks of various diseases such as heart disease and |
| versions were patented in England in 1855 and in the | | | | cancer. |
| USA in 1858. In basic terms it was a variation on the | | | | These are just a few pieces of industrial design that |
| knife, and was widely used. In 1870 an alternative | | | | have contributed to the improved lifestyle and health of |
| wheel-based tin opener was invented, but this was | | | | people around the planet. |