Despite its fragility, the vintage egg timer continues to persist, while modern models are locked in a cycle of disposal [ 6].
to it while it counts down, and it makes me think about the other people [i.e., grandmother and aunt] that have had it before me.”
The simple mechanics and design of the egg timer resulted in the participant’s transparent understanding of how it works on a functional level and engaging with it as a material entity— ultimately leading to conscious consideration and care over time, across generations. When probed about whether a digital timer could ever take on the same significance, the participant responded: “No, it will never be an antique because it will never make it that long. Plastic will break and it’s not unique—just functional and will never have aesthetic meaning for me. Not that it’s about being made out of fine metal. It’s more about the quality of how it works.”
In this case, the transparent nature of the egg timer resulted in intentional care across family members and, consequently, the achievement of heirloom status. Conversely, the poor-quality components and closed design of the digital timer caused it to be viewed as a disposable entity capable only of providing a means to an end, devoid of the allure and intrigue characterizing heirloom objects.
[ 6] Timer originally photographed by authors. Image later re-shot courtesy of Don Trull.
[ 7] Kinsey, A. C., W. R. Pomeroy, and C. E. Martin. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 2003
Consider an elaborate multimedia installations. Installation (B) has fully 10 complete sets of dedicated videogame systems and controllers, while installation (A) has 13! The ages of the different systems vary considerably, including both vintage and state-of-the-art platforms. The owner of one of these gaming emporia describes the space this way: “I invested a lot of time and money into creating this room and especially the display case. I love to display them all [game systems], and they’re all functional, but I really only use the latest ones [Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and Playstation 3]. …I keep the older ones around to remind me of my memories of playing them when I was younger.”
Additionally, that same participant noted that his most frequent new purchases were add-ons or upgrade devices for this environment: “Most of the new things I buy go into this room. They’re either new games or systems—or just modifications to my display case.”
As described by one participant, older hardware was used less for functionality and largely maintained as souvenirs of times passed and memories.
[ 8] Collier, J. and M. Collier. Visual Anthropology: Photography as a Research Method (revised and expanded). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1986.
perseveres across space and time given its fragile components?
When asked if the glass had ever broken when in her possession, the participant remarked that she had “never been careless with it, always wrapping it up carefully with utmost caution when moving.” This conscious care over time led to the emergence of dense experiential histories, endowing the egg timer with meaning and a rich reflective affordance. For example, when discussing the particular placement of the egg timer within her home, the participant remarked: “I attached it to a special place on the wall in the kitchen where grandmother had it. I like it better than the other timers because it can’t malfunction. I mostly use it for short things because it only lasts for three minutes, but I like it because I have to pay attention
[ 9] Nelson, H. G. and E. Stolterman. Design Way: Intentional Change in an Unpredictable World. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Educational Technology Publications, 2003, 29
[ 10] Stolterman, E. “The nature of design practice and implications for interaction design research.” International Journal of Design 2, no. 1 (2008)
September + October 2008
References:
Archives