Good Design, coffee transport

Everyone has probably heard me blabbing about Contigo travel mugs lately.  I gave three of them as gifts this Christmas, and most of the time I can tell my own excitement for this travel mug is not as contagious as I first expected.

For years I've been waiting for a decent travel mug to come around.  There have been a few notable designs, but nothing quite as utilitarian as the Contigo.  It's virtually unspillable, and because every second you're not drinking, it remains sealed shut, it will keep your coffee hot for a surprising amount of time.

I suppose it's a more appreciated product for someone who leaves home via bike or bus everyday never arriving at my own office, but bound to moving in and out of lecture halls with no cup holders.  To avoid buying coffee everyday, it's truly been a game changer to the viability of brewing my own coffee at 7:00 and enjoying it until 11:00.

There's not much to change in this design.  I might inflate the size a bit to get even better insulation properties, possibly simplify the lid shape a bit, but what I would really like to see is a more robust version.  

Historically, travel mugs have been objects of slightly more re-usability than a Styrofoam cup, and I think there should be a market for a more permanent solution.

In my mind, the base is stainless with two Lexan windows.  Between the exterior and interior is transparent Aerogel for insulation, cradling the inner glass chamber, say 12 ounces.  This would provide amazing insulation, while still being able to view the contents.  The lid would be much the same with better materials.  Perhaps stainless bits for the plastic ones, and to top it all off, a ceramic drinking surface.  This mug may cost 60 or 70 dollars, but I can see using for 20 years, finding a permanent spot inside a leather briefcase that will last just as long.

For all the cups we make and trash, travel mugs seem to have a lifespan only slightly more extended.  If we make a product that people care about, and a product that is built right, serviceable, and effective, rather than the 4000 paper cups, or the 45 travel mugs we would use in a 20 year span, why not make a more permanent solution?  I don't think travel mugs are something that people would have a problem using for a great deal of time.  It could fall into a category of the more timeless products of our lives.  Things like the briefcase or a well designed tool.  It's need doesn't go away, design it well, make it last forever.  Ever since Gillette introduced the throw away razor, we've been a slave to the most simple of capitalistic operations.  Make them come back for more.

Don't get me wrong it doesn't look easy.  At the same time, replacement razors cost what these days?

Anyway, many object's very function is of a temporary nature, but some of our needs are forever.  Maybe a 20 year coffee mug isn't going to get us back to sustainable design, but there are way too many things we only need one of, that we don't even consider silly for having a dozen of.  The 'affluenza' will go as transportation costs go up, those selling objects of lasting value will be better suited to survive.  I'm not into apocalypse theories, but we will be forced into dealing with energy during my generation.  Making less crap, (though ostensibly making stuff is my career choice) will be a huge part of that reality.  Honing in on objects that need not be manufactured for one use before disposal will also be part of that reality.

Here's a step, get Starbucks to price everything on their menu to include the discount of having your own container, and "charge" people for paper cups (the price they would have paid anyway).  The pricing scheme would not change in any way, but I bet you the behavior will.  I bet we'll see that sort of thing around the corner.  You heard it here first.

GeorgeP