How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's

Technology Connections
4 HN recommenders · recommended in 3 months, 2020–2024
YouTube
851K views · 6 years ago · explainer · evergreen

Alec Watson of Technology Connections looks at Sunbeam toasters from the 1940s and uses them to argue what a good modern toaster should do. It is a design critique of an everyday appliance.

HN people share it as a passionate case for good appliance design, and tell toaster and appliance makers to watch it.

“This one about Sunbeam toasters from 50+ years ago is particularly great”
Industrial designDesign of everyday things
#toaster#appliancedesign#sunbeam#technologyconnections#designcritique

6 comments from Hacker News

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@shagie2023 · in “A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the fridge I own now”
One of the YouTube channels that I watch from time to time is a guy who is ranting/passionate about technology. The Antique Toaster that's Better than Yours - link and How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's - ▶ this video It's not a fridge... but similar design thoughts. There is a recent video about a fridge... This goofy fridge has a really clever design. It's also kinda terrible. - link
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@BeefWellington2022 · in “Companies are buying washing machines to take the chips out and repurpose them”
Indeed, and in some cases the experiences have gotten worse. There's a Youtube channel named Technology Connections and he has several videos on this topic that I recommend. This one about Sunbeam toasters from 50+ years ago is particularly great: ▶ this video
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@thunderbong2022 · in “How to design an good toaster with lessons from the 1940's [video]”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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C
@CaliforniaKarl2020 · in “How to design a good toaster with lessons from the 1940s [video]”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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e
@em-bee2024 · in “Ask HN: Should I try to manufacture toasters?”
i am just going to drop this here: How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's From Technology Connections: ▶ this video
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e
@evanjrowley2024 · in “Ask HN: Should I try to manufacture toasters?”
Try doing a Kickstarter. Over the years, I've spent way more money than I should have on Kickstarter projects that are highly specific and non-refundable. Both of these characteristics will likely be important to leverage as you are starting out this venture. Kickstarter targeted advertising through Facebook and Instagram seem to be very good at getting your product in front of people willing to buy it - even if it's an expensive American-made toaster. Once you have a prototype, you may want to consider getting a review by Technology Connections. He's done multiple on toaster design novelty: link link link ▶ this video
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