An unconventional white desk fan with chrome plated steel, plastic, and acrylic as materials for its composition. It has a recatanglar base with a silver metal neck elevating the main body. The body is in a cynlindrical form with fan blades horizontally spaced as panels within a rotating tube. On the left side, where the spinning tube is located, is an acrylic enclosure with a retangular opening tilted upwards. It has the text “BRAUN” on the lower-left portion the enclosure. Its function is to direct the air towards the user when the fan is operating. The tube is connected to the mechanical part starting with a silver ring, followed by a stationary cylinder. On the edge is a movable switch with the numbers 0, 2, and 1, controlling the speed of the fan. Attached on the back is the fan’s cord - positioned to the right until it’s out of the frame of the image.

There are 3 other images of this object. See our image rights statement.

See more objects with the tag industrial design, fan, white, desktop.

Object Timeline

1961	Work on this object began.
2017	We acquired this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2018	We exhibited this object.
2022	You found it!

HL1 Desk Fan

This is a Desk Fan. It was designed by Reinhold Weiss and the design director was Dieter Rams and manufactured by Braun AG. It is dated 1961 and we acquired it in 2017. Its medium is enameled and chrome-plated steel, plastic, acrylic. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The HL1 Desk Fan broke the tradition of the conventional circular fan by adapting the fan blades to fit into a cylindrical body. The fan’s small size made it easy to add to a consumer’s existing desk paraphernalia. Braun was a leader in such utilitarian products for the office that were straightforward in appearance and use.

This object was donated by Robert Greenberg. It is credited Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.

Pleated Fan
paper leaf with gilded and hand-colored lithograph; lacquered papier maché....
Gift of Georgina and Louisa L. Schuyler.
1916-29-121

Drawing, Design for a Fan
pencil, watercolor, and gold on paper. red seal..
Gift of Cooper Union Art School.
1953-31-6

Repetive images of red fans outlined in black lines with blue motor centers in straight horizontal lines, three facing toward the right and two in the middle facing left. There are radiating air wave lines in the direction the fans are facing, all on a on a yellow background wtith a white rim.

Textile, Fan
100% cotton.
Gift of Vlisco.
2015-1-8

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

Air Multiplier Table Fan
plastic, metal.
Gift of Dyson, Ltd..
2010-38-1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 14.5 × 14 × 7 cm (5 11/16 × 5 1/2 × 2 3/4 in.)

Cite this object as

HL1 Desk Fan; Designed by Reinhold Weiss (German, born 1934); enameled and chrome-plated steel, plastic, acrylic; H x W x D: 14.5 × 14 × 7 cm (5 11/16 × 5 1/2 × 2 3/4 in.); Gift of Robert M. Greenberg; 2017-51-9

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Bob Greenberg Selects.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2Lp6Fk/
Accession Number 2017-51-9
Object ID 1158789269