Deconstructing Product Design

Good Grips Peeler

Smart Design for OXO, 1990

1. The Good Grips Peeler was the first in a series of now widely heralded kitchen utensils that applied universal design principles to create products usable by everyone. Inspiration for the product occurred when Sam Farber, founder of OXO, observed his wife having difficulty using a peeler, due to arthritis. This prompted an extended conversation with David Stowell, president of Smart Design, about the inadequacies of commonly available kitchen utensils. The resulting product was not only received well both commercially and critically, it has made OXO the standard bearer for universal design. Davin Stowell comments: “No one wants to be singled out as having special needs. The peeler was designed ...