Electric arc gas lighter Firebird 2.0 plastic material (1993) / USB Rechargeable - Alessi

A pop design icon from the 20th century, reissued with a version at the cutting-edge of technology... The Firebird gas lighter was created in 1993 by the Italian designer and architect, Guido Venturini. Quirky, fun and provocative, this phallic-shaped object was created in a design workshop striving to study the communicative dimension of objects, their ability to inspire, intrigue and amuse people, put simply, to relate to them. With its explicit erotic allusion, Firebird triggered a lot of criticism among the more puritanical circles, both inside and outside the world of design. Over the years, Firebird became a real pop icon, a rare and cult object favoured by collectors. Almost thirty years after its creation, Alessi is offering a reissue which expands its use: Firebird 2.0 is an electric arc lighter which provides sufficient heat to light a cigarette, a candle (even when the wick is very short), a gas cooker, a barbecue, a bio-ethanol fireplace or paper in a traditional fireplace. This rechargeable lighter works without flammable liquid and does not create a real flame. Instead it produces a small electric arc. It recharges via a USB port (USB charging cable included). It is equipped with a safety switch which lets you switch it off when it is not being used. Firebird 2.0 is a little domestic, pop and ironic sculpture, to showcase and use as required... The designer, Guido Venturini: "I love this new offer a lot. The first edition experienced great success - with a few critics - and testosterone hasn't had a better ambassador since... All fire and flame, the Firebird carelessly takes a happy and creative direction, a worthy ancestor of Hermes, Shiva and all the homages paid to fertility by all the people of the world throughout the history of mankind. Good luck for this second round!"

In detail:

• Variation : Gold

• Brand : Alessi

• Designer : Guido Venturini

• Type : Electric arc gas lighter

• Colour : Gold

• Material : Thermoplastic resin with PVD coating - Aluminium head

• Dimensions : 10 x 5 cm x H 26 cm
• Weight : 0.66 lb
• Characteristics : Electric arc gas lighter - Lithium battery rechargeable via USB (USB charging cable included) - Year of creation: 1993 - Cult object of pop culture - For lighting cigarettes, candles, gas cookers, barbecues and fireplaces - Safety switch
• Country of Manufacture : China