Ashtray from 'Input' range
Ashtray and Insert
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In 1972 Airfix Plastics initiated a design programme which aimed to improve the image of plastics from cheap and disposable to high quality and desirable. The business approached Conran Associates, a design subsidiary of Habitat, to design a range of plastic products for the office or home.
The Input range was launched in May 1973 and designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, a newly established division of Airfix. The range consisted of 21 'containers' including bowls, dishes, trays, bins, vases, pots and an ice bucket which were all made from heavy duty ABS plastic, selected for its strength and scratch and shatter resistance. Gift boxed to elevate their appeal, they were initially produced in four colours: red, yellow, green and white.
The containers were produced to be almost twice as thick as other ABS products through a particularly low rate injection moulding cycle. All the units in the range were based on the same diameter and height ratios to achieve an integrated appearance and were given identification numbers, rather than names. The Royal Free Hospital placed an order of the containers to be used as vases to bring colour and cheer to their wards.
The range won a Design Centre Award and featured in the exhibition British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in 2012.
The Input range was launched in May 1973 and designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, a newly established division of Airfix. The range consisted of 21 'containers' including bowls, dishes, trays, bins, vases, pots and an ice bucket which were all made from heavy duty ABS plastic, selected for its strength and scratch and shatter resistance. Gift boxed to elevate their appeal, they were initially produced in four colours: red, yellow, green and white.
The containers were produced to be almost twice as thick as other ABS products through a particularly low rate injection moulding cycle. All the units in the range were based on the same diameter and height ratios to achieve an integrated appearance and were given identification numbers, rather than names. The Royal Free Hospital placed an order of the containers to be used as vases to bring colour and cheer to their wards.
The range won a Design Centre Award and featured in the exhibition British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in 2012.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Ashtray from 'Input' range (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Heavy-duty ABS resin containers. |
| Brief description | Red 'Input' ashtray designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, ABS plastic, 1970-1975 |
| Physical description | Ashtray from Input range. Heavy-duty ABS resin containers. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Historical significance: Winner of the Design Centre Award in 1974. |
| Summary | In 1972 Airfix Plastics initiated a design programme which aimed to improve the image of plastics from cheap and disposable to high quality and desirable. The business approached Conran Associates, a design subsidiary of Habitat, to design a range of plastic products for the office or home. The Input range was launched in May 1973 and designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, a newly established division of Airfix. The range consisted of 21 'containers' including bowls, dishes, trays, bins, vases, pots and an ice bucket which were all made from heavy duty ABS plastic, selected for its strength and scratch and shatter resistance. Gift boxed to elevate their appeal, they were initially produced in four colours: red, yellow, green and white. The containers were produced to be almost twice as thick as other ABS products through a particularly low rate injection moulding cycle. All the units in the range were based on the same diameter and height ratios to achieve an integrated appearance and were given identification numbers, rather than names. The Royal Free Hospital placed an order of the containers to be used as vases to bring colour and cheer to their wards. The range won a Design Centre Award and featured in the exhibition British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in 2012. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.109&A-1977 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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