2023-05-29 12:22:13
Argentine industrial designer Hugo Kogan, famous for his invention of the spark lighter that became popular under the name of Magiclick, died on Saturday in the city of Buenos Aires, at the age of 88.
Kogan was one of the most influential references in Argentine and South American design and was recently distinguished as an Outstanding Personality in the field of science and technology by the Buenos Aires Legislature.
Hugo Kogan, the creator of Magiclick, has died at the age of 88
One of his best known works is the invention of the Magiclick, which earned him great recognition. It was created by him in 1963, while he was serving as director of the design department of the Aurora company, and received that name because it ignited the flame at the touch of a button.
That was originally the trade name for the product, but over time it came into common use. The publicity at the time of its launch boasted of its quality and also of its long duration, promising that it would do so “for 104 years”.
Some Magiclick models later incorporated a butane or other type of gas charge, which allows them to produce and maintain a flame autonomously, while others are limited to generating the spark to ignite, for example, kitchen burners.
As a young man, the late designer was also a sculptor, he was a student at the industrial school and studied architecture for two years, which helped him unite technique with his desire for forms.
Kogan designed and developed more than one hundred products, such as industrial and family textile machines, urban equipment, entertainment electronics, hardware, electro-medical equipment, large household appliances, and bank and railway equipment systems.
He received the Konex Awards Diploma of Merit three times as one of the best industrial designers of the decade on each occasion (1992, 2002 and 2012).
What Kogan said regarding the Magiclick
“With the Magiclick, I was at the right time and place. A new technology on which a contemporary design was mounted in a dry market of novelties and innovation for many years ”, the creative had pointed out, regarding the moment in which he invented his greatest success and great work.
He developed the venture while serving as director of Aurora’s design department. The product was born thanks to piezoelectric experimentation, which at the time was new. When the company decided to launch the product, it planned to sell 5,000 units per month, but the success was such that orders were placed for 80,000 units per month.
Kogan was also a member of the academic commission designated for the creation of Industrial Design and Graphic Design careers at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Buenos Aires.
Kogan denied his invention
The designer denied his invention and said that it was a karma in his life. In a television interview he revealed that he did not use the spark plug that made him famous.
“In my house, I use matches,” he said on TV, in addition to assuring that for him, Magiclick was karma.
In El Trece, Kogan explained the reason: “At that time I was very young, I did not register it, and I never received royalties despite the thousands and thousands that were sold,” he said.
And then he added: “I almost have a rant with him. She didn’t know anything at the time. And I lost the opportunity to collect the royalties. When I wanted to do it, it was already late, ”she opened up.
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