S1 Ep 7 - Cutlery Town

What’s the real story of the Splayd? Australia’s greatest contributions to eatingutensils…Tim has the answer. Then Kevin whisks us off to Sheffield to explore the legacy of David Mellor, one of Britain’s finest designers, whose cutlery from the mid-century is still in production today.

Yes, welcome to Cutlery Town.

Invented in Sydney in 1943 by Bill McArthur, the Splayd combines the spoon, fork and knife and became one for the most popular wedding gifts in the 60s and 70s.

Kevin mentions Tim’s latest book - What a Ripper! 60 everyday items that shaped Australia. Available in Australian bookstores or you can grab yourself a signed copy here: https://modernisterbooks.com/products/what-a-ripper-60-everyday-objects-that-shaped-australia

You can read more about the Splayd on the Powerhouse website here: https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/111703

David Mellor, celebrated British designer and silversmith, revolutionised cutlery design with elegant modernism. You can find out more about his work and how his son Corin is continuing his legacy here: https://www.davidmellordesign.com/about

You can find pictures and videos on our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure 

And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)

We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on [email protected] 

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Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation) in Australia, Royal Institute of British Architects (@RIBA) in the UK and New Zealand Institute of Architects (@nziarchitects) in New Zealand. 

Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud

Guest: Corin Mellor (@davidmelloruk)

Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia. 

Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp 

Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media 

Video Production: Ned Williams

Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst) 

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