Large Durabeam torch

This rectangular, black and yellow, Durabeam torch was designed by R.J. Winstone, A. Forman, P.J. Pope and J. Drane of BIB Design Consultants, a company formed by Nick Butler, Peter Isherwood and Stephen Bartlett in 1967. It was designed for Duracell UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the US battery manufacturer, who wanted to enhance the sale of their batteries within Europe. They conducted extensive consumer research for commonly used battery-operated products, identifying the potential for manufacturing a small torch. The final product was launched in two sizes (home and pocket - see AIBDC : 0_6429), priced slightly higher than its competitors but with batteries included so that it was ready to work immediately. Released in the UK in September 1982, 450,000 torches were sold in the first three months with sales achieving over 3 million just two years later. The Durabeam won the Design Council Award for Design Excellence in Consumer and Contract Goods: Durable Products, 1984. The body is made from injection moulded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the bulb housing is polystyrene (PS).

AIBDC : 0_6474