American Innovation Nixie Clock
Soviet-era design influence had a popular run in the early 90’s as the USSR’s collapse opened the doors to the iron curtain, and western eyes were finally able to see for the first time what 70+ years of communist design looked and felt like. I was so fortunate as to travel the former Soviet Union in the spring of 1992 and drink it all— unadulterated . Unlike the many visitors in the years before us we were allowed to escape the state guided tours to explore on our own the country, its culture and its design. What we saw was a very industrial feeling, function first aesthetic approach to design. For me these elements ranging from wind-up watches to self-powered flashlights have since become something I have an incredible affinity, so when I saw The American Innovative Nixie Clock I was almost giddy. Constructed from six (6) Soivet-era Nixie tubes (retro display technology that is the predecessor to today’s modern numeric displays such as the 7-segment LED) housed in a base that is hand-made in America from rich Cherry woods and stainless finishes this clock is truly a modern take on the functional aesthetic and will be produced in limited addition by American Innovation. The first run of ten, individually serial-numbered Nixie Clocks are in production. The clocks sell for around $395 and a $50 downpayment is required to reserve yours. I’m thinking one of these might be a needed addition to our agency’s office.
