Possibly the first time I ever regarded an object as a piece of design was the first time I laid eyes upon my parent’s corkscrew. The object of this childhood admiration was – and still is – the classic double lever corkscrew. In fact it’s such a classic you probably have one laying in your kitchen as well. Though corkscrews have been around since the 18th century, it wasn’t until Italian designer Dominick Rosati patented his “cork extractor” that we would come to associate this object with the human figure, the object became pretty on itself and as a functional kitchen appliance more enjoyable and easy to use. An evergreen in design if ever there was one.
Rosati´s patent: http://z.about.com/d/inventors/1/0/h/B/corkscrew4.gif
History of the double lever corkscrew: http://www.bullworks.net/virtual/double/double.htm
