Braun design history
Braun GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of small
electric appliances. Braun's widely accled reputation for
innovative product design goes back to German engineer and
inventor Max Braun.
From the mid-1950s, the Braun brand was closely linked with the
concept of German modern industrial design and its combination of
functionality and technology. In 1956, Braun created its first
design department, headed by Dr. Fritz Eichler, who instituted a
collaboration with the Ulm School of Design to develop a new
product line. In 1956 the company introduced its famous SK4
record player ('Snow White's Coffin'), designed by a youthful
Dieter Rams together with the pioneer of system design, Hans
Gugelot, then lecturer of design at the Ulm School of Design.
Rams soon became the most influential designer at Braun. Rams was
a key figure in the German design renaissance of the late 1950s
and 1960s. Eventually becoming head of Braun's design staff,
Rams' influence was soon evidenced in many products. Many of his
designs - sleek coffee makers, calculators, radios and razors -
have found a permanent home at the Museum of Modern Art.
Braun products have been shown more frequently at exhibitions
than those of any other comparable company. Some people find that
they reflect basic human values such as authenticity and
integrity. For others, they are the very incarnation of German
perfectionism. Braun is not merely a trademark; it stands for an
all-encompassing concept.
For the last five decades, this concept has spawned innovative
products with an unprecedented regularity that begs to be
explained - especially as the era spanned by the history of Braun
design is not exactly one characterized by continuity. In 2000,
the readers of markt intern, a German trade journal for retailers
of electric appliances, voted Braun Germany's number one "Electro
Retail Partner" ahead of three of its competitors. Apparently,
the company's image for superior design and cutting-edge
technology was strong enough to carry Braun's success of eighty
years over into a new century.
Clocks and watches
In 1971, Braun launched a series of travel alarm clocks and
watches. The infamous German industrial designers, Dieter Rams
and Deitrich Lubs were the masterminds behind the project; and,
with their “Less, is more” design philosophy they produced a
number of memorable products for Braun including some of the best
travel alarm clocks around.
Over the last 40 years, Braun time pieces were characterized by
their pure, highly functional and timeless design with no
superfluous details: Every feature directly reflects a function.
Rooted in over half a century of modern design at Braun, the core
values of functionality, quality and aesthetics are reflected in
all clocks and watches.
The strength of clarity and simplicity of their design makes them
a pleasure to use and to own.
The analog clocks were manufactured with the intention to
prioritize innovation and durability. The beautifully sleek
structure and dial illumination, together with the slight graying
back of the numbers ensures that the hour arms are clear and
easily readable. All the clocks use precision German movements,
known for their silent nature and high accuracy. A variety of
models use radio controlled movements for complete accuracy of
time.
A selection of the very best classic clocks and watches have been
recreated in keeping with the high standards of quality of the
originals. At the same time, brand new designs on both watches
and clocks take the collection further than ever before.
Braun GmbH is one of the world's leading
manufacturers of small electric appliances. Braun's widely
accled reputation for innovative product design goes back to
German engineer and inventor Max Braun. From the mid-1950s, the
Braun brand was closely linked with the concept of German modern
industrial design and its combination of functionality and
technology. In 1956, Braun created its first design department,
headed by Dr. Fritz Eichler, who instituted a collaboration with
the Ulm School of Design to develop a new product line. In 1956
the company introduced its famous SK4 record player ('Snow
White's Coffin'), designed by a youthful Dieter Rams together
with the pioneer of system design, Hans Gugelot, then lecturer of
design at the Ulm School of Design. Rams soon became the most
influential designer at Braun. Rams was a key figure in the
German design renaissance of the late 1950s and 1960s. Eventually
becoming head of Braun's design staff, Rams' influence was soon
evidenced in many products. Many of his designs - sleek coffee
makers, calculators, radios and razors - have found a permanent
home at the Museum of Modern Art.Braun products have been shown
more frequently at exhibitions than those of any other comparable
company. Some people find that they reflect basic human values
such as authenticity and integrity. For others, they are the very
incarnation of German perfectionism. Braun is not merely a
trademark; it stands for an all-encompassing concept. For the
last five decades, this concept has spawned innovative products
with an unprecedented regularity that begs to be explained -
especially as the era spanned by the history of Braun design is
not exactly one characterized by continuity. In 2000, the readers
of market intern, a German trade journal for retailers of
electric appliances, voted Braun Germany's number one "Electro
Retail Partner" ahead of three of its competitors. Apparently,
the company's image for superior design and cutting-edge
technology was strong enough to carry Braun's success of eighty
years over into a new century.