That's peak design for me.
Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
11–20 of 87 posts
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#12I’m 44 and to this day I still use my very fist Braun electric shaver. I don’t even know the model, but it looks just like one with a blue button in the pic in the article, although the case is different and the blue is darker in mine. The only issue it has is that I have to place the connector in a very specific position or it won’t charge.
I think it’s going to outlive me.
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#13If you love "everyday objects from the 20th century, especially electrical appliances" and are in Valencia, Spain, then checkout the Alfaro Hofmann Collection which has some lovely Braun pieces shown in the context of many other designs:
https://www.alfarohofmann.com/en/holdings/s?filtered=1&fabri...
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#14I’d love to read an account of the ‘fall’ of Braun. Through my adult life, basically the only thing it makes that are still ubiquitous are electric shavers - which are great shavers, but hardly icons of design. Was there internal drama that led to this contraction in the diversity of what they made? Did it happen fast or slow? I feel like there must be a good story in there.
Sold to Gilette in 1967, expansion into many different areas after. Then, I guess their story is not really unique, they shared the fate of all European household appliance manufacturers — increasing competition from Asian companies, so by the 1990s, Braun was dead.
After Procter & Gamble bought them in 2005, it now mostly exists as a brand to be licensed (everything other than shaving and electric toothbrushes).
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#15If anyone is curious about (industrial) design, it is worth checking out the documentary Objectified by Gary Hustwit (and the rest of the 'trilogy'):
* https://www.hustwit.com/objectified
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectified
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_Trilogy
Trailer:
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#16It would be interesting if there was one major city that invested enough funds to organize thrift stores around particular design aesthetics or historic periods. So you could have a `50's thrift store, a `60's one, etc. Alternatively they could be organized around classes of goods such as clothing, household appliances, tools, etc.
There is a lot of stuff out there but not enough incentive to bring it all together, refurbish, and reuse.
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#17I’d love to read an account of the ‘fall’ of Braun. Through my adult life, basically the only thing it makes that are still ubiquitous are electric shavers - which are great shavers, but hardly icons of design. Was there internal drama that led to this contraction in the diversity of what they made? Did it happen fast or slow? I feel like there must be a good story in there.
Pretty much what happened more broadly. Brands got sold off to companies making goods in Asia for lower prices. Consumers mostly not willing to pay 2x to 3xand it’s often not even clear if the higher prices are worth the premium.
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#18I’d love to read an account of the ‘fall’ of Braun. Through my adult life, basically the only thing it makes that are still ubiquitous are electric shavers - which are great shavers, but hardly icons of design. Was there internal drama that led to this contraction in the diversity of what they made? Did it happen fast or slow? I feel like there must be a good story in there.
Sold to Gilette in 1967, expansion into many different areas after. Then, I guess their story is not really unique, they shared the fate of all European household appliance manufacturers — increasing competition from Asian companies, so by the 1990s, Braun was dead. After Procter & Gamble bought them in 2005, it now mostly exists as a brand to be licensed (everything other than shaving and electric toothbrushes).
And now days the toothbrushes use the "Oral-B" brand, so Braun is only really known (in international markets) for shavers.
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#19I’m 44 and to this day I still use my very fist Braun electric shaver. I don’t even know the model, but it looks just like one with a blue button in the pic in the article, although the case is different and the blue is darker in mine. The only issue it has is that I have to place the connector in a very specific position or it won’t charge. I think it’s going to outlive me.
I had a Braun shaver for a very long time — long after the battery had died. It worked great while plugged into the wall, which was fine because I kept it in the bathroom next to an outlet. I switched to a new shaver after receiving one as a gift. I had no idea that modern shavers (maybe most electronics these days?) only run from the battery, rather than passing through from the wall. It’s a reminder of a time before forced obsolescence that I miss.
Re: Visiting the annual Braun collectors fair
#20I started my career at Braun and have a huge soft spot for them. Hope to visit Kronberg again some day, maybe the fair would be a good excuse. Thank you highlighting it, was very enjoyable to read and go back memory lane.