Why Is This Tape Dispenser Ubiquitous?: Design Mysteries Series

3M Décor Tape Dispenser designed in 1961 By Jean Reinecke [photo: Bruce Hannah]

This tape dispenser has suddenly appeared in Flying Tiger stores so I was wondering who designed it and if the patents on it had run out because I know it’s been around forever. My guess was it was designed in the 1950’s. The one I have owned for 30 years is identified as the Model C-15, Décor Dispenser manufactured by 3M, St. Paul, Minnesota. It came in Brown, Green, Lemon Yellow, Salmon, Mahogany, Beige, Pink.

It took some sleuthing and a lot of help from Budd Steinhilber (johnbudd47@gmail.com) & Tucker Viemeister (tuckerviemeister@mac.com) tracking down its origins. Budd guessed it was designed in the early 1960’s by Jean Reinecke and he was right on both counts. Tucker confirmed Budd’s guess by going to the IDSA website and looking up Jean Reinecke who was a pioneer of Industrial design starting in the 1930’s and continuing into the late 1980’s. The tape dispenser was designed in 1961 by Reinecke’s Pasadena,

California office and was sold continuously by 3M until the year 2000. I’m not sure why 3M decided to stop making it because the ones they sell now are not particularly handsome. I’m being polite. As to why Flying Tiger is selling them, I’m assuming that the design is now in the public domain, which means anyone can manufacture and sell it. Too bad 3M.

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Design Mysteries Series
Bruce Hannah 2019 ©