The Sunbeam 'Express' kettle was designed in answer to a flood of well designed and cheaply made electric kettles imported into Australia during the 1980s that were eroding Sunbeam's traditional markets.

This model depicts the process of shaping or styling the 'Express plus' kettle for approval and manufacture. The kettle was designed to boil two cups of water in 60 seconds.

Australians have traditionally bought electrical kitchen appliances because they generate less heat and therefore reduce the temperature of the kitchen. The electric kettle was adopted more quickly by Australian women in the early 20th century than in other cultures where the kitchen fuel stove and stove top kettle persisted.

The first electric kettles were typically stove top metal kettles with an electric heating element inside and a cord to the power supply. The Sunbeam Express plus kettle defines a new kitchen product expressing neither physical or semantic references to these origins.

Designed by Ian Wilson and made at Sunbeam Corporation Australia, Campsie New South Wales over 1985-1986. The 'Express Plus' kettle was designed to boil a cup of water in one minute specifically for frequent use at tea breaks and by individuals.

This model was used by Ian Wilson, Head of Product Design at Sunbeam, to represent his design for a kettle to management, for consumer testing and tooling.

Working prototype, electric kettle, 'Express plus', wood / plastic, designed by Ian Wilson, made by Sunbeam Corporation, Australia, 1986

A prototype model of a kettle made up of composite pieces from other kettles. It is made entirely of plastic and includes a volume measure at the side. There is a black adaptor and a red 'PRESS TO BOIL' button on top.

Designed: Wilson, Ian; ; 1985 - 1986

Made: Sunbeam Corporation Limited; New Zealand; 1986


Used: Wilson, Ian; Campsie, New South Wales, Australia

Owned: 1985 - 1986

'Sunbeam EXPRESS' printed in black and red and split down the middle. There is a measuring gauge with an image of a cup and measures running down the side of the gauge. '-4, -3, -2, -1 min' and the metic amounts to the other side, '750 mL-, 500-, 250-' in black.

93/250/3

1985 - 1986

220 mm

230 mm

140 mm