Vintage Mercedes Prototypes

Three old Benz concepts that we wish saw the light of day

As a recent guest at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, I fostered a new understanding and appreciation for the brand and its history. Inventors of the automobile, Daimler is constantly innovating and exploring new solutions for safety, comfort and performance. During the tour there were three prototypes that really caught my eye. An evolution of the iconic 300 SL gullwing, this 1955 300 SLR hardtop …

Ferrari World Design Contest

Dramatic innovations from students around the world help shape the future of supercar design

Ferrari invited us to their headquarters in Maranello, Italy to see the work of the seven finalists in their year-long World Design Contest. The contest tasked the students with devising a concept car design with the brief to reduce fuel consumption and the car’s overall weight in order to increase driving pleasure. The teams used Autodesk’s Alias industrial design software, completing concepts first in renderings …

Aroma Mortar and Pestle

Alessi's fresh take on one of the oldest kitchen appliances

The mortar and pestle is one of the most ancient utensils in the contemporary chef’s arsenal, and Eero Aarnio has given the classic grinder a makeover. Using smooth, playful curves reminiscent of his popular ’67 Ball Chair, Aarnio redefines the generally clunky mortar with a short cylinder base and a polished, ergonomic pestle. Aarnio designed this piece for Alessi, saying of his work there, “I …