For I Will Consider My OXO Jar Opener

Shortly after I moved to NYC in the late 1990s I occasionally worked as an OXO brand product tester.  Every couple of weeks I'd be invited to the OXO offices to try a new kind of cutting board or whisk. I like OXO's committment to Universal Design principles, which means that they develop products that are usable by as many kinds of people as possible.  If you've ever stood by while a loved one with severly arthritic hands struggles to open a jar, you know why Universal Design is important, and humane.  Here's how OXO translates these principles to products:

For OXO, the principles of Universal Design mean a salad spinner that can be used with one hand; liquid measuring cups that can be read from above without bending over; kettles with whistle lids that open automatically when tipped to pour; and tools with pressure-absorbing, non-slip handles that make them more efficient.

Even though I no longer test products, I'm still on the OXO e-mail list.  Just last week I received this contest announcement:

From now through August 26th, write a poem, draw a picture, create a meme, show us an alternate use, or dress up like your favorite OXO tool - the options are limitless. The three MOST CREATIVE entries will win up to $1,000 worth of OXO tools and who wouldn't love that? Through your blog, you've shown us your passion and creativity - translate that into a photo or text about OXO and you could win! Check it out on our Facebook Page.

For  more information about this contest go here.

-- sdh