A different view #31

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

Title: Cole and Mason Pepperball
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Cole & Mason for Diethelm Keller Brands
Object number: AIBDC : 000618

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

BXL photographic archive #0102

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.

This week’s image shows a clear polyethylene sheet used to protect seedlings.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--07371

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Now showing - Design for childhood

Design for childhood: pre-school plastics
15th April - 7th October 2016

Designing products for young children and babies is different from designing for adults.  The designer has two audiences to please; the child with its specific physical and sensory needs, and the adult who will be purchasing the product.

Plastics materials offer safety and comfort in the form of smooth, moulded surfaces with softly contoured edges, hygienic feeding equipment, and insulated temperature control.  The bright colours, and high contrasts that can be achieved with plastics enable babies to see shapes easily, and the moulded ergonomic shapes help children learn to sit well and hold tools.

This exhibition explores a number of areas where designers have utilised the specific properties of plastics materials to create products that fulfil the needs of both the child and the care giver. 

Find out more: Design for childhood: pre-school plastics

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

MoDiP is closed

MoDiP will be closed until Friday 15th April in preparation of our brand new exhibition Design for Childhood: pre-school plastics.

If you need any help please email modip@aub.ac.uk

Hard Hat Hanging Baskets

Cycling home from work last week, I spotted some innovative reuse by our building contractors.

I was told that Health & Safety rules require that site hard hats are replaced regularly with the old ones simply being thrown away.

In an effort to make the building site look more ‘green’, the builders have planted the hats with flowers and hung them from the portacabin.

They have also added some troughs to the side entrance of the University, most likely made of Polypropylene (PP).

They certainly cheer me up each time I go past and help to remind me that Spring is definitely here.

Katherine Pell (MoDiP Administrator)

BXL photographic archive #0101

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.

This week’s image shows a 'No Accident' pennant being hoisted over the Warerite factory.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--1530

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

What are these?

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual.

By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?

Post your answer in the comments below or to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)