Dead cool thing

Hans Gugelot, Dieter Rams: Phonosuper SK 5 Music System, 1958

New and unfamiliar things are often met with rejection or incomprehension. That’s why, initially, competitors used to mockingly refer to this music system, which was designed by Hans Gugelot and Dieter Rams, as ‘Snow White’s Coffin’.

The reason for this now-legendary name was the system’s acrylic glass lid. This was not only a new material, but also a ‘visual revolution’ compared to the large cabinets made of dark wood that were common at the time.

For the first time, through the acrylic glass lid of the Phonosuper, you could watch the record turning and you could see the slide controls and knobs. 

See how the turntable sounds!