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  • Published: 28 September 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742745954
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 224

100 Great Icons




Fascinating histories of products that have forever imprinted themselves on our cultural identity.

Fascinating histories of the products that have forever imprinted themselves on our cultural identity.

Who can say they have no emotional reaction when they think of a frisbee, or a teddy-bear, or a Harley-Davidson, or a Rubik's Cube?

These are just a few of the stylish and cool products and brands that have captured the imagination and adoration of the general public and in doing so have risen to the realm of the icon. Behind most icons are fascinating histories of struggle, ingenuity and often single-minded stubborness.

The Vespa was designed to save Italy's economy by mobilising the country's population when World War II left her roads and cities cratered. The inspiration for Post-It Notes came to their inventor as he sat through a dull sermon, annoyed at the bookmark which constantly slipped from his hymn book. The velcro idea struck after a keen bushwalker returned from the mountains with cockleburrs stuck obstinately to his dog's coat. 100 Great Icons is full of fascinating dinner-party facts, emotive memories, historically accurate detail and enthralling, believe-it-or-not stories of exactly how these amazing icons became more than just products.

  • Published: 28 September 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742745954
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 224

About the authors

Chris Sheedy

Chris Sheedy has been deeply involved in the magazine, book, publicity, print and electronic media industries for over 20 years. He has held the position of Editor over several magazines, in Australia and the UK, and is now a freelance journalist, professional writer, copywriter, author, PR manager and media consultant. Having worked in the London head office of Guinness World Records, where he held the position of Vice President, Sheedy is also the Australian representative of Guinness World Records.

Jenny Bond

Jenny Bond is an author of historical fiction whose novels have been published in Australia, New Zealand and Europe and whose non-fiction titles have been published in Australia and the USA. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Jenny earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education at Macquarie University. Prior to her reinvention as a writer, she held the position of Head of English at Eaton House The Manor in London’s Clapham Common. Jenny also taught English and Drama for eight years at a selective high school in Sydney.