Welcome to Soft Electronics

This online museum has 2070 examples of small household appliances from the 1960s to 1990s.

Every product in this private collection is complete with the original packaging, and often in mint to new condition. And every item has a story to tell: about industrial design or brand identity. Or about packaging design, useability, pop culture, or women's liberation.

Many items should look familiar if you were born in or before 1970. But have you ever seen all the other items? They are forgotten products, with superior quality that has't been equaled since the conclusion of the last century. Following the 1990s, the majority of manufacturing (and design) shifted entirely to Asia, and planned obsolescence became a norm in products

The start of the collection was in 2018 with just 25 objects. Since then roughly 250 new items were added every year. In 2020 it was time to move around 750 items to a storage and studio, and start preparations for the book. Since 2025 the whole collection is stored at a 250 m2 location, with most items accessible and displayed in shelves. The location is available for workshops and guided tours on request.

On this website it's just the images of the packaging for the moment. Many more images of the items are on Patreon and Instagram.

Calendar

The 2026 calendar shows a selection of 12 iconic espresso makers. Available in large A3 and small A6 from 6€ plus shipping.

Order your calendar now
(shipping worldwide)

Magazine

Take the best of Soft Electronics with you, everywhere you go. 30 objects on 68 pages (10,5 x 21 cm) for 6€ plus shipping.

Order your magazine now
(shipping worldwide)

Book

In 2022 gestalten published a book featuring 101 products from this collection. “Iconic Retro Designs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. An homage to an iconic era of product design.”

The Soft Electronics book is available for 39,90 €

Patreon

Support my project on Patreon. Images from more than 275 instagram posts are arranged by brand and type and easy to find. No more endless scrolling. Updated regularly.

With the Max Support option you have access to product catalogs and brochures. You'll also receive a free calendar once a year.

Exhibition

In 2024 a selection of 250 devices from this collection was displayed in the exhibition Men, women and their appliances in the Design Museum Den Bosch (The Netherlands)

Please enjoy some pictures of the event, and a fly-by video with amazing perspectives!

Instagram

Please follow Soft Electronics on instagram for frequent updates and many more images.

More than 740 posts since 2021. With thousands of high quality images of all the items.