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Object Timeline

1996

  • Work on this object began.

2008

2015

2017

2024

  • You found it!

Moosk Radio

This is a radio. It was designed by Philippe Starck and made for (as the client) Alessi S.p.A.. It is dated 1996 and we acquired it in 2008. Its medium is plastic, metal. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Personal transistor radios were first developed in the 1950s but, due to high cost, were not universally popular until the 1960s when inexpensive imports and popularization of the technology brought down the price. As of 2008, the transistor radio remained the single most popular communications device worldwide, with some estimates suggesting that there are at least seven billion in existence.
The Moosk radio recalls Isamu Noguchi’s Radio Nurse (1937) as it, too, resembles a mask with its mouth-like speaker. In 1996, Jérôme Olivet designed this sculptural radio under Philippe Starck’s direction and, two years later, Thomson Consumer put Moosk into production for Alessi. Moosk is compatible with Starck’s Faitoo hook system and, alternatively, it may attach directly to the wall with mounting hooks.

This object was donated by Max Pine. It is credited Gift of Max Pine and Lois Mander.

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

  • Textile (USA)
  • cotton.
  • Gift of the Estate of Ella Ostrowsky.
  • 1976-98-25-a

Its dimensions are

Overall: 20 x 14 x 7 cm (7 7/8 x 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)

Cite this object as

Moosk Radio; Designed by Philippe Starck (French, b. 1949); Client: Alessi S.p.A. (Italy); France; plastic, metal; Overall: 20 x 14 x 7 cm (7 7/8 x 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.); Gift of Max Pine and Lois Mander; 2008-9-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.

The Conservation department has taken one photo of this object.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18715171/ |title=Moosk Radio |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>