Entries by Mark Edelsberg

ActionEar Headphones

In my search for vintage electronics, I occasionally come across something so ridiculous that I can’t pass it up. I originally thought this was a lo-fi hearing aid that would look great on my father at social events. Turns out this pair of ActionEar headphones by Silver Creek Industries is meant to aid in hunting. […]

Braun reissues a Dieter Rams classic watch

Back in 1978, Braun released the DW30 digital watch designed by Dieter Rams and Dietrich Lubs. The watch was in production for 3 years with a total of 8500 units produced, thus making it quite a collector’s item. The new watch has a stainless steel face, with scratch resistant mineral glass to protect the digital […]

“For complete private enjoyment”

I’ve seen a couple of bathroom radios but this piece of kitsch, by Stewart, is one of the earlier ones. Similar designs are out there under the names Soundwave, Windsor, Federal, Nobility, Arrow, Westminster, Shibuya, and my favorite, “Little John”. It seems everyone wanted this to distribute this thing. Check out some other novelty items […]

Bone Fone

Well, it obviously didn’t but that’s what the company JS&A had hoped when they created an am/fm radio that wrapped around your neck. The idea was that the vibrations of the music would pass through your vertebrae and connect with your ear bone. The radio ran on 4 AA batteries and came in a bone […]

Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams

I have collecting Braun for several years, so I was ecstatic when I heard there was an exhibition coming to SFMOMA. Upon entering, I immediately embarrassed my wife (which I love to do) by bowing to the TG60 Wall Combo stereo. There were many items I had need seen before, including a tape deck suitcase. […]