Thursday, March 17, 2011

Good Design in a Small Package

credit: The Independent
Ever since US Person wrote a marketing plan for a long life light bulb at business school back in another century, he has been interested in quotidian means to save energy. The compact florescent bulb is a welcomed innovation, but it has its drawbacks and detractors. Incandescent bulbs are scheduled to be phased out by 2014 in favor of more efficient bulbs. Many people think the CF ugly, does not dim or turn on as well, and the color of light produced is not the familiar warm glow of an incandescent. The British are not renowned for electric technology--yes, they invented radar, but have you ever owned a British sports car with Lucas instrumentation? Introducing the Plumen 001 that won an international design prize against 90 entries. The Plumen light bulb uses 80% less energy, lasts eight times longer than an incandescent light bulb, and it looks smashing! The sleek, intertwined hoop design is miles better than the CF design which resembles the tail end of a piglet. Director of the British Design Museum declared the bulb both "beautiful and smart", and it "doesn't need a shade". Green Kudos to Samuel Wilkinson and design company Hulger.