The Senz aerodynamic umbrella 9 Oct 2008

When designers attempt to reinvent the everyday objects we take for granted, the results are usually disasterous. Senz's reworking of the umbrella is the exception to this rule...

The Senz aerodynamic umbrella is smart, strong and stylish. It's smart because it turns like a weather vane, automatically orientating itself to the direction in which the wind is blowing (without occluding your view). It's strong because it can withstand winds of up to 70mph without inverting or being torn to shreds (see the video clip below). And it's certainly stylish - its weird aerodynamic shape and oval shaft have seen the product scoop several accolades, including a prestigious red dot award.

See also:

• The Hands-Free Umbrella
• The subtlest Wonderbra ad yet
• The usability of umbrellas
• Nubrella

[via 37signals / DesignAday]