PEPPER MILLS a comparitive analysis of DESIGN written by NIKKI PINNEY for DI91: design studies FORM + FUNCTION

September 17, 2012 INTRODUCTION AESTHETIC ANALYSIS In this analysis, I compare and contrast the form and function two pepper mills, one a burr-style crank grinder (Figure 1), the other a spring-loaded push grinder (Firgure 2). I hand-cranked spring-loaded contextualize their structural and aesthetic distinction by examining the history of pepper mill use and display in the home. Finally,drawing from my observations and judgments of Lightweight; the two objects’ features, I offer suggestions for an iteration of their design. WEIGHT Solid; not heavy but not VS easily knocked over by lightweight a brush of the hand Light tan and beige Clear with COLOR striations; silver VS semi-transparent dark orange; silver Curvy hourglass figure Cylindrical with smooth SHAPE with tapered middle; VS but not rounded edges offset crank handle

Approx. 5.5 inches by 3 Approx. 4 inches by 1 SIZE inches; crank reaches VS inch add’l inch

MATERIALS Wood and metal VS Plastic and metal

Small “Mr. Dudley” logo TEXT on the gear, not None Fig. 1: burr-style crank grinder Fig. 2: spring-loaded push grinder VS immediately visible Smooth, polished; slight Mostly smooth encase- TEXTURE natural speckling of VS ment; spring presents a BACKGROUND wood grain at touch tactile contrast The history of pepper mills and pepper shakers, were and Knoppy has been handed down becoming a mainstay on Hoffman, who boast a The hand-cranked pepper mill is The cylindrical, linear shape of the like so many recipes; American tables collection of 600 grinders made from rich materials which, spring-loaded pepper mill is sug- approximations are de (Western Illinois Museum, (Suqi, 2012), the premise of along with its size, contribute to a gestive of modern design, as are rigeur. Thus, when I write 2010). As is evident with mills provides for culinary comfortable, sturdy weight. Add- its industrial materials, which are that the first pepper mill novelty shakers, mills too function. Designed to grind ing to that satisfying tactility is semi-transparent and polished was invented by the famed became objects of art to a uniform coarseness, the rounded, curvy shape of the to a smooth finish ((Rodgers & French car where form often com- pepper mills allow pepper- mill’s body; the tapered midsec- Milton, 2011). The way its mecha- manufacuturer Peugeot manded more attention corns to remain whole until tion is inviting to the hand. Mostly nisms are exposed (the spring, in 1842 (Wilson, 2010), the than utility. As journalist Dee immediately before their unadorned, the classic look of the peppercorn storage cham- fact should be taken with Wilson observed in the Tele- use. This helps preserve the its polished wood and tasteful ber) make it seem contoured, a grain -- rather, a smidgen graph, “the decades can piquancy of the . As grooves are reminiscent of tradi- and along with its push-button -- of . Pepper mills had definitely be divided by the epicurean becomes tional crafmanship seen in mid- to implementation, reference the replaced mortar and pestle changing vogues in pepper increasinlgy ubiquitous in spring-loaded hand-cranked late 19th century design (Rodgers high-tech miniaturization of the as a means of grinders” (2010). While there our digitally resourceful cul- & Milton, 2011). Also reiterating 1970s and early 1980s (Rodgers & grinding peppercorns, and are those value the for- ture, the engineering of a the mill’s historical ties is the crank Milton, 2011). Yet its sleek size and by the 1940s, along with mal design of pepper mills pepper mill makes the mechanism, which seems deriva- fresh amber color give the mill a the destined-for-kitsch salt above else, like Michael essential to chefs. tive of grinders of yore. sophisticated affect.

PINNEY // 2012 PINNEY // 2012 FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS CONCLUSION hand-cranked spring-loaded aesthetic functional

HOW DOES IT Grasp crank arm/ Depress plunger preference preference WORK? handle and rotate VS

IS IT EASY AND/OR Yes, its operation is Somewhat; its design I find the form of both pepper mills Considering ease-of-use, my obser- OBVIOUS TO USE? apparent in its design VS doesn’t immediately attractive -- for different reasons. vations indicate that the hand-crank suggest a pepper mill The hand-cranked mill is appealing pepper mill is the superior design. While IS THERE A Push button, possibly a because its stolid structure and its the spring-loaded push mechanism METAPHOR FOR Manual coffee grinder VS syringe traditional appearance give an im- is not difficult to maneuver, the crank ITS USE? pression of long-lasting craftmanship. mill’s utility is more recognizable, and its I also appreciate that its made with handle provides leverage for prolonged WHAT IS ITS Holds about 3 Holds about 1.5 wood. Natural materials help me feel grinding (think tablespoon of cracked CAPACITY? tablespoons of VS tablespoons of peppercorns peppercorns more present in my surroundings. The pepper). Also, the crank mill allows the spring-loaded pump mill is whimsical user to adjust the coarseness of the DOES IT PROVIDE Knob on top can be and contemporary, but its slight size grind, although the loose flakes that OPTIONS FOR ITS None apparent tightened for a finer VS alsmost makes it seem like a novelty escape willynilly following the use of USE? grind item. Yet I like how its industrial design finer grinds mitigate the advantage of Discharges ground keeps my home feeling up-to-date. that control. Lastly, the opacity of the WHAT ARE ITS needs refilled often; pepper when not in VS Because their forms are so distinct crank’s materials protects its pepper- SHORTCOMINGS? permits exposure to light use; frequently jams from one another, the pepper mills corns from exposure to light, which can Amount of peppercorns are able to take on separate roles in comprimise the integrity of the spice WHAT ARE ITS Leverage of crank remaining visible in my kitchen. (Montagne, 1938/2001). STRENGTHS? reduces amount of VS effort needed to grind body; easily portable

The operation of the this clas- The push-button movement of suggested iterations sic pepper mill is obvious at first the spring-loaded pepper mill The most crucial redesign cess. One way to do that is shape of the mill to ac- glance. Using a crank matches makes dispensing pepper fun. I recommend addresses to situate a built-in, pull-out comodate a wider mouth, my mental model of how grinders The rapid, nimble squeezing refilling the pepper mills funnel in the storage cham- thereby removing the need work, as well as visually references movements are efficient for sea- with peppercorns, a both- ber. During refills it can to painstakingly pour pep- the manual coffee grinders that soning food, and give users a ersome routine that often corral the peppercorns into percorns into a slender influenced the design of burr-style sense of precision: each plunge ends in a mess. A design the storage chamber and opening in the first place. mills like this (Wikipedia 2012). The of the button is a pre-measured that allows for a larger then slide back into place, Also, experimenting with crank also allows for a full, smooth amount. The transparency of the space in the chamber safely tucked away until materials that are trans- movement when grinding. Having holding chamber makes it easy of the mill would reduce the next time it is needed formable or designs featur- control over the coarseness of the to see when it’s time for a refill. the frequency of need for (delivering across ing convertible forms (like grind is useful, but making adjust- Although due its small size, refills

spring-loaded refills. Another potential America from the vexa- a design that can change hand-cranked ments seems to trigger jams in the happen often. That inconve- solution is to develop a tion of keeping track of its shape to facilitate easy grinding mechanism. Also, the nience is offset by the mill’s por- design that is focused on a tiny funnel). Other solu- refilling) might yield innova- finer grinds are prone to unpro- tability -- its perfect for carrying streamlining the refill pro- tions include changing the tive results. voked discharge from the mill. alongside a bowl or soup.

PINNEY // 2012 PINNEY // 2012 REFERENCES Montagne, P. (1938/2001). Larousse gastronomique. (Revised ed.). London: Hamlyn Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.worldcat.org/title/larousse- gastronomique/oclc/47231315

Rodgers, P., & Milton, A. (2011). Product design. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd.

Suqi, R. (2012, Feb. 22). A family history, liberally peppered . The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/garden/a-collection-of-pep per-mills-600-and-growing.html?_r=1

Western Illinois Museum. (2010, Nov.). Artifact of the month. Retrieved from http:// www.westernillinoismuseum.org/artifact_month/2010_november.html

Wikipedia. (2012, June 25). . Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pep per_grinder

Wilson, B. (2010, Sept. 29). The kitchen thinker: Peppermills. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/7967759/The-Kitchen-Think er-Peppermills.html

PINNEY // 2012