18 of The Most Famous Examples of Product Design

1. Anglepoise Lamp

Thanks to the creation of a new type of spring in 1932, the angelpoise lamp design first name onto the scene, created by engineer George Carwardine. It’s revered for it’s ability to be moved and hold position in any direction.

2. Automatic Transmission

One of the most important, yet least appreciated designs. The design of the automatic transmission revolutionized fuel economy and established the foundation from which future automatic transmissions would be designed and built.

 3. Ball Point Pen

When faced in 1938 with fountain pens that would bleed ink or dry out, László Jozsef Bíró invented the ballpoint pen. With thicker ink and the tiny ball bearing controlling the flow, the ballpoint pen became one of the most innovative and most purchased products in history.

4. Bendy Straw

Humans have used drinking straws in some form or another for hundreds of years. The bendy straw was patented in 1937, after Joseph B. Friedman noticed his young daughter trying to drink out of a tall glass through a straight straw.

5. Fitbit

One of the newer items on this list, the Fitbit, revolutionized the industry of wearable health tech. With a sleek design that fits comfortably and functionally around the wrist, it acts as a pedometer, altimeter, and sleep tracker all in one.

6. Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Now one of the most recognized shapes in the musical world, the Stratocaster , has been adored for decades by guitarists worldwide. Launched in 1954 by Leo Gender, it features a highly contoured body shape, an innovative tremolo system, and two-tone sunburst finish.

7. Hula Hoop

The modern hula hoop was born in the 1950s. It was one of the simplest, yet most popular toy designs ever. During the height of the fad in 1958, over 100 million hoops were sold.

8. Coca Cola Bottle

Now considered one of the most popular and well-known shapes in the world, the Coca-Cola curvy glass bottle was invented in 1915.  In an effort to design a “bottle so distinct that you would recognize it by feel in the dark or lying broken on the ground.”

9. Mascara Wand

The modern mascara wand was invented in 1958 by Revlon. Before this, mascara was applied with small brushes. The modern wand allows for easy application, lifting, and separating strands to achieve the best look.

10. Oreo Cookie

The Oreo has been the number 1 best selling cookie in America since 1912. The Oreo is an innovation, by simply sandwiching creme filling between two chocolate cookies. The design has been replicated often in the past 100 years, but the Oreo is a classic.

11. Polaroid Camera

Polaroid recently celebrated 75 years of history. First presented in 1947,   the Polaroid was the first instant camera in the world. It’s shoot, pull, and shake design is known around the world.

12. PEZ Dispenser

PEZ candies are much older, but the dispenser we know today was designed in 1948. The ability to offer out one piece of candy at a time was revolutionary and familiar to everyone who grew up in the USA starting in 1952.

13. iPhone

Since 2007, we’ve kept iPhones in our pockets and the design has grown and evolved over time. The iphone, has kept the signature clean, minimal, and glossy feel that Apple imbues into all its’ products.

14. Post-it Notes

This design came into being by accident! While trying to create a high strength adhesive for planes in 1968, Spencer Silver accidentally created an adhesive that was pressure sensitive and perfect to peel away without leaving residue.

15. Tupperware

One of the most overlooked yet common items in your home, the Tupperware container, was revolutionary for housewives in the 1950s. The airtight seal was one of the most intelligent American designs.

16. VW Beetles

Between 1945, Volkswagen sold 40 million models of these unique vehicles. It’s not accredited to be the most-produced car in history.

17. Wurlitzer Jukebox

Wurlitzer introduced it’s classic jukebox in 1946. It was an immediate classic and even though jukeboxes in general have fallen out of fashion, the design is still an immediately recognizable icon of 1950's America.

18. Zippo Lighter

The best product designs are unmistakable and evoke a specific mood, when seen and used. Wrapping up this list is the zippo lighter, designed to combat awkward, wind-susceptible lighters, and matches. The Zippo has always been the definition of cool.

Our studio was founded more than 20 years ago, with the desire to build beautiful, sustainable architecture for diverse environments. Since then, we have grown and expanded, both in terms of scope and staff. With partners worldwide and an international blend of influences, we strive to remain exciting, modern, and relevant in every environment. 

In recent years, the Dublin Design Studio team has grown well beyond those contained within our four walls with partners, collaborators and trainees contributing to our story.