When the newspaper Aftenposten asked the Norwegian people to name the most important Norwegian innovations through time, they voted the cheese slicer as #3, the X-BOW hull line design as #2, and the Tripp Trapp high chair as #1. While numbers 1 and 3 are household items, the X-BOW is a pure industrial design, Ulstein Group said in a press release.
Many Norwegian homes have cheese slicers and the Tripp Trapp high chair, and therefore have a tight relationship to those two products. It came as a surprise that the Norwegian people voted for the industrial design, the X-BOW, as their number two favourite.
The jury states the following on why the X-BOW ended in the top 3:
"The X-BOW is adapted to the tough conditions in the North Sea. The bow demonstrates the innovative capacity of Norwegian shipbuilding, and is a strong contribution to the maritime history. As a result of the bow, the ship can tackle all kinds of weather conditions, and it comes as a safe choice. The X-BOW is a great commercial success with more than 100 already in use all over the world."
The Aftenposten & DOGA's 'Design in 100' competition has been initated to honour a wide spectre of projects within the Norwegian design history, with the purpose of creating an increased conscience and pride in Norwegian design. The competition aims to highlight the value in good design, now and for the future.
The jury picked 100 candidates, based on criteria such as cultural, historical, economic and societal value, and also the degree of innovation, form and aestetics, functionality and ease. Various categories were acknowledged. More than 100,000 Norwegians voted for their favourite.
"I wish to express my sincere thanks to all who have voted. Design is very important to us, and to be announced as one of the people’s favourites is absolutely incredible!,” states Tore Ulstein, who is head of innovation at Ulstein.
Ulstein Group ASA is the parent company of a group of maritime companies, specialising in ship design and maritime solutions, shipbuilding, power and control and shipping. The family-owned company was founded in 1917.