Calculators: Japan vs. Germany
Posted by Scott
“Omron 86R & Braun 4 776 calculators. Interesting similarities and differences, especially layout, letter forms, color and shapes. The Braun’s 12.5mm total thickness versus the Omron’s 25mm is a clear sign of the 10 year age difference between the two designs.
Omron 86R & Braun 4 776 calculators. The Braun’s font is clearly Akzidenz Grotesk, but the closest I can find for the Omron’s font is Univers 53 Extended. Any better ideas? “
Dieter always wins out, but that Omron still has it’s own thing going.
Via faasdant
11 Comments Leave A Comment
Todd says:
April 9, 2009 at 5:09 amDieter Rams’ products seem to always have that look of finished perfection, to a timeless extent. Omron though, I have never heard of. I am curious to learn more of them.
DESIGN says:
April 9, 2009 at 6:00 amDieter always wins?
You haven’t seen Japan’s Naoto Fukasawa design
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/calculator-s.jpg
http://www.japantrendshop.com/pictures/calculator2.jpg
Peter says:
April 9, 2009 at 9:19 amI’m gonna have to call shenanigans and pick the Omron over Dieter’s calculator. Lovin the splash of colour and the crisper looking buttons.
Scott says:
April 9, 2009 at 10:52 amDESIGN-
nice….but yes, Dieter always wins. particularly when the contender belongs to his own lineage:
“Many of his designs are icons of modernist rigour but have exerted an influence far beyond the design cognoscenti (the debt owed Rams – and they would be the first to acknowledge it – by designers such as Jonathan Ive, Naoto Fukasawa and Jasper Morrison is enormous). Indeed, much of the stuff that surrounds you looks a lot like it does because of Dieter Rams.” [source]
Matt says:
April 13, 2009 at 9:21 pmCheck out the calculator on the iPhone. The keypad is almost a perfect match to the one on the right.
John says:
April 14, 2009 at 3:19 amwow. I didn’t know that Braun produced calculators.
Deb says:
August 26, 2010 at 11:36 amI still have my Omron 86R from when I bought for school in the 70’s. It still works but I have it displayed with my retros and antiques. Seems like it was expensive back then. That’s how I found you today I’m trying to figure out how much I paid for it. Seems like it was over $50 if I’m remembering it even close.
ok says:
January 26, 2011 at 3:42 pmnot sure why these two are being compared, but for the record, it is the first braun calculator, the 4954, that is an exact copy of that Omron calculator in your photo, not the model you have shown.