Richard Sapper

Richard Sapper (1932–2015) was a pioneering industrial designer whose work blended German precision with Italian flair. Born in Munich, he studied a broad mix of subjects at the University of Munich, from philosophy and anatomy to engineering and economics. He began his career in the styling department at Mercedes-Benz before moving to Milan in the late 1950s, where he worked with Gio Ponti. In 1959 he opened his own studio, and soon after he won his first Compasso d’Oro for the Static table clock. That same year he began an influential partnership with architect Marco Zanuso. Together they created some of the defining objects of Italian modernism, including Brionvega’s Doney television and TS 502 radio, and the Grillo folding telephone.

Sapper combined sculptural minimalism with real technical ingenuity, and his designs have stood the test of time. For Alessi he created the 9090 espresso maker, and its singing kettle. As chief industrial design consultant to IBM from 1980, he was responsible for the original black ThinkPad laptop. His many honours include multiple Compasso d’Oro awards, the Compasso d’Oro for Lifetime Achievement and Germany’s Order of Merit.

His most celebrated design is the Tizio lamp for Artemide, introduced in 1972. Its counterbalanced arms move with a touch and carry low-voltage current directly through the structure, doing away with visible wiring. The result is a striking, perfectly balanced silhouette that has made Tizio one of the most recognised desk lamps ever produced. It won the Compasso d’Oro and is part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York.

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