Nick Garrett

Category: design

  • A design classic: The history of Kenwood chef

    A design classic: The history of Kenwood chef

    Lovefood

    A design classic: The history of Kenwood chef

    Our recent article asking what items have sentimental value in your kitchen prompted lovefood.com reader Patricia Snowsill to say on our Facebook wall, “My Kenwood Chef. I received this as a wedding present 40 years ago and it’s still going strong!” Such is the longevity and build quality of Kenwood’s devices.

    The history

    After founding Kenwood in Woking in 1948, design pioneer Kenneth Wood went on to develop iconic and familiar products that over 65 years have transformed our daily lives. The A100 Turnover Toaster was the first electric toaster to allow the user to toast both sides without touching the bread, and the Kenwood Chef (launched in 1950 and redesigned for Kenwood by Kenneth Grange in the 1960s) became the standard aesthetic for food mixers, heralded for its labour-saving abilities and classic design.

    A new exhibtion

    For the first time, The Art of Design: Kenwood in the Kitchen at The Lightbox Gallery in Woking will bring together products from 1947 to the present day that illustrate the Kenwood design journey. Curator Michael Regan says: “The Kenwood story – of design that has continually embraced a contemporary aesthetic whilst appreciating domestic values – has resulted in 65 years of products that are both a commercial success and a joy to use. This exhibition brings Kenwood back to Woking to explore the brand’s tremendous contribution to Britain’s status as a product design pioneer and considers how its revolutionary products have had such a significant impact upon our everyday lives.”

    There’s also a series of talks, demonstrations and swinging 60s-inspired food. Check the Lightbox website for details.

    Do you own a Kenwood chef? Is it still going strong? Tell us in the comments below.

    More kitchen kit

  • World Balloon Race – Virgin territory, art. edited theLondonSignwriter.com

    PDS Engineering Ltd

    PUBLISHED: July 5, 2011 – 10:37 am

    PDS Chairman, John Getty, Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand share a joke in Marrakesh.

    The objective was to achieve the first ever nonstop circumnavigation of the world by manned balloon. To be able to claim the record, the balloon had to travel a minimum distance of four radians of the earth. The 1998 attempt covered approximately 15,000 miles propelled only by the wind climbing to a height of up to 30,000 feet and speeds of around 250 miles per hour.

    The envelope canopy for the huge balloon begins to take shape in the Per Lindstrand factory in Oswestry.

    Using the winds of the Jet Stream the brave pilots travelled all the way from Morocco before ditching off Hawaii.

    The fabric balloon was 1.1 million cubic feet and a combined hot air / helium type. The large Capsule and the critical parts made by PDS all performed faultlessly and Per Lindstrand complimented us on the quality and accuracy of all our work. In the near future Virgin and Richard Branson may well pick up the challenge once more and attempt either the first ladies circumnavigation or perhaps the “First Ever Round the World Balloon Race”.

    Virgin Atlantic Balloon “Capsule” for Richard Branson comprised many precision parts engineered by PDS in Nelson, Lancashire.