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Design Classics

Season 2 1990

  • 1990-06-18T23:00:00Z on BBC Two
  • 30m
  • 2h 30m (5 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • Documentary, Special Interest
1980s documentary series looking at revolutionary pieces of design

5 episodes

Season Premiere

1990-06-18T23:00:00Z

2x01 The Sony Walkman

Season Premiere

2x01 The Sony Walkman

  • 1990-06-18T23:00:00Z30m

Looking back at the 1980s it will be hard to miss 50 million Sony Walkmans. The machine's success is a symbol of Japan's post-war economic miracle. Why are the Japanese so good at making intricate hi-tech products? Design Classics looks at the philosophy behind modern Japanese design to reveal roots deep in the Japanese consciousness.

1990-06-25T23:00:00Z

2x02 The Fred Perry Shirt

2x02 The Fred Perry Shirt

  • 1990-06-25T23:00:00Z30m

Supermods, skinheads, pop stars and tennis heroes - all of them have worn the shirt that takes its name from the legendary British tennis player. How did a sports shirt become a fashion icon? What does its laurel wreath emblem signify? Was it really the first casual shirt? Fred Perry , business rival Rene Lacoste and journalist Stuart Cosgrove try to solve the riddle of the old skinhead saying: 'shirt by Fred, 'nuff said'.

1990-07-02T23:00:00Z

2x03 The Telephone Box

2x03 The Telephone Box

  • 1990-07-02T23:00:00Z30m

The red British telephone box has joined a select group of objects which have become symbols of Britain. The majority have now been removed in the name of modernisation and this classic piece of design is now sold at auction for other uses.

1990-07-09T23:00:00Z

2x04 The Shell Logo

2x04 The Shell Logo

  • 1990-07-09T23:00:00Z30m

Most large companies adopt a symbol to identify themselves and sell their product. Shelf's is one of the most famous.
But it was selected at random and had already been used as a symbol for centuries. Its casual use during this century would scandalise any of today's corporate image makers. Despite this it has become one of the most successful pieces of graphic design. With Evert Endt , Christopher Frayling , Nicholas Jenkins , Wally Olins , Michael Peters and Stephen Calloway.

2x05 The Harley-Davidson Electraglide

  • 1990-07-16T23:00:00Z30m

The Electraglide is Harley-Davidson's definitive motorcycle, with a design history which goes back to the days of the wild west. The programme charts the origins and history of the Electraglide and explores the powerful mythology which surrounds it.

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