Max Gunawan and the Lumio Book Light

If there is a hero of the modern blook, it's Max Gunawan, inventor of the Lumio book light and Mini Lumio+. It would be hard to imagine a more elegant blook or a more engaging man. Lumio is a rechargeable LED light with about a long-lasting battery. Its covers are wood and magnets are embedded in the covers so that the 'book' can be attached to metal surfaces. The interior 'pages' are made of Tyvek. The Lumio book light is in octavo format. I asked Max why he made it that size and he said, it just felt right. That's bookness for you. Soon, the mini-Lumio book light will be out. It's a pocket-sized version modeled on a Moleskin notebook, which is a book that Max is familiar with and has enjoyed using.  The Mini+has a removable, magnetized spine that hides a convenient phone charger. You can read all about Max and the lamps on the Hellolumio website. 

Max has had an interesting and inspiring journey and it's been a great success. It wasn't long ago that Max quit his job in an architect's office to follow his dream of designing and manufacturing useful, simple and beautiful objects for us all to enjoy. Since then he has had  a successful Kickstarter campaign, created TED talks, gotten financing through appearing on the TV show Shark Tank, and is selling the lamps in many Museum shops. I recently contacted Max to ask if he would consider contributing a lamp so that I could show it with it's historical precedents in my upcoming exhibition. He generously agreed and came in person to deliver and demonstrate it to the delight of the book conservation staff. If you want to read more about his journey, follow the links in this post.

Here's a few links about Max and Lumio:

Max's TED talk:

Shark Tank video:

Interview with Max: http://inhabitat.com/interview-we-talk-to-lumio-folding-book-lamp-creator-max-gunawan/

Merry Christmas Blook-Style

I almost let Christmas pass, but the spirit (as far as blooks go) entered and I'd thought I'd take a moment to show you some of the classic Christmas blooks. First Noma lights. This is one of a number of brightly colored Noma Christmas lights in book-style boxes. Noma was an American company best known for making Christmas lights. It was once the largest manufacturer of holiday lighting in the world, but since 1967 has existed only as a licensed trademark. 

Who doesn't remember or still know the wonder of Life Savers Sweet Story Books? This ad represents the very first Sweet Story box, marketed over a number of years, before the design changed and was modernized. This box from around 1947, is designed in the style of a silver fine binding with strap-work. Later boxes were more graphic and less historically-inspired. What is so amazing is that the Story Books are still being made today by a number of candy manufactures. They are much less bookish than the original faux fine binding.  

There are many, many Christmas cards in book form, mostly made in the 1940s and 1950s. I have at least thirty of them and they are very imaginative, and often use book puns in their messages.

And of course, there are ornaments. Often, they are made as teacher's gifts or just for booklovers in general. There are book string lights too and animated Christmas props. This is just the tip of the Christmas blook iceberg. I can't say that I've seen any Chanukah blooks, but I do have a plush stuffed Torah. 

Warm regards to everyone and a very happy New Year! 

Blooks of Today: Hot Off the Press

My colleague asked me if I was going to write a post about new blooks so I'll show you a few now. Artists, manufacturers and everyday people are making as many blooks as ever. The most substantial change is in the area of art. So many artists are making book objects now and the blook is enjoying a revival. If one just cruised around online, it would be easy to find contemporary confections, home furnishings, fashion accessories, greeting cards, craft supplies, garden ornaments, computer accessories, home security items and more. There doesn't seem to be an end to it, that's what is so surprising. Here are only a few. I can't vouch for all of them, but did note when I have seen or used them:

Garden sculpture: At Terra Firma Landscape Architecture, sculptor Terrence Parker creates stone books in several sizes. Open the link for details.

Tableware: These are very elegant and amusing, don't you think? I found them sold wholesale, but managed to collaborate with a few friends from my library to buy a dozen platters, which work well for library parties. It would be nice to have a set. Perhaps blog readers could let me know if there is any interest. Wouldn't it be fun? 

Perfume: Don't forget about Karl Lagerfeld's perfume Paper Passion, because "the smell of a freshly printed book is the best smell in the world."

PROJECT ALERT. Book Cards: When you want to make your own book cards, Dr. S V of Bangalore, India posted a pattern for these cards. I make them quite often for library events. They are easier than they look and are always appreciated. Click here for instructions.

Lumio Book Light: The Lumio light was created for those who might be on the go, or just in need of mood lighting. Designed by Industrial Designer Max Gunawan, the light is disguised as a book. It bends into a multitude of forms and can be anchored with strong magnets to metal surfaces. The light lasts 8 hours and is rechargeable. Lumio is about 1″ thick and it is available in three wood finishes.

Many vendors sell home decorating objects that appear like antique books. Here is a trash can perfect for the home office or library. Here is the blurb form the webisite where I found it: 

Most office bins are horrible to look at. This one is different. It looks stunning, is beautifully made, and will instantly raise the tone of your office, lobby or boardroom. Yes, you can probably make do with a plastic bin, but how much more civilized to deposit even your scrap paper in this work of art!

A Kindle case: If you are looking for a new case, I noticed there was a sale  on this website in three bindings, including Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland. I haven't seen it in person, but here is the copy from the site: It will look as if you're reading an old hardcover copy of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." Tucked inside: your Kindle. Handmade in Hampshire, England using traditional bookbinding techniques and materials, each has a molded interior case that securely holds your e-reader. Lightweight, durable, splashproof, and satisfying. Specify Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, or Kindle Keyboard.

Stress blooks: You can even buy stress ball blooks. Bryan Draper, Preservation Librarian at The University of Maryland, recently sent me two, printed with the U of M logo in different color variants. They apparently have a big bowl of them in the library. I'm not sure they are sending the right message, but I get a kick out of them. You can order customized titles for your library. Here is one vendor I found online, but I haven't purchased from them. I'd look around, there must be more.

That's just a drop in the bucket of what's out there in blook-land and that doesn't include altered books, which I try to avoid (don't get me started). Please post comments with questions and additions to the new blook category.