Sam Farber

November 16, 1924 (age 88)

New York City

Farber is credited with revolutionizing the kitchen utensil industry by developing and introducing a line of utensils with plastic-coated black handles through OXO. While more expensive than traditional utensils, the new soft, black handled utensils proved to be a success with consumers. He received a bachelor"s degree in economics from Harvard University in 1946. Copco In 1960, Farber founded Copco, which manufactured enamel-coated, cast iron cookware. He sold Copco in 1982, largely retiring from the industry at the time of the sale. OXO Farber founded OXO as a result of improvements he made to an everyday vegetable peeler. The difficulties presented by available peelers (and their handles) sparked an idea for Sam. Farber unveiled the new line at the Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco, California, in 1990. Sam Farber named his company "OXO" for its "backward, upside-down and vertical graphic symmetry." Farber"s OXO products were more expensive than competitors", but the line proved a hit with consumers, who were willing to pay more for the new, easier-to-use utensils. The Farber family sold OXO to General Housewares Corporation in 1992. OXO is currently owned by Helen of Troy Limited, as of 2013. Mario Batali products Sam and John Farber later created a line of products sold by chef Mario Batali. Boards An art collector, Farber served on the board of directors for the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan. He was a longtime resident of Manhattan but lived in Lexington, Massachusetts, during his later years. Sam Farber died in East Meadow, New York, from of complications from a fall on June 16, 2013, at the age 88.

Sam Farber

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Businessman industrial designer

Background

Sam Farber was born on November 16, 1924, in New York City, though he was raised in nearby Yonkers, New New York His father, Louis Farber, established Farber Brothers, which sold serving ware.

Education

Harvard University.

Career

Farber is credited with revolutionizing the kitchen utensil industry by developing and introducing a line of utensils with plastic-coated black handles through OXO. While more expensive than traditional utensils, the new soft, black handled utensils proved to be a success with consumers. He received a bachelor"s degree in economics from Harvard University in 1946. Copco

In 1960, Farber founded Copco, which manufactured enamel-coated, cast iron cookware.

He sold Copco in 1982, largely retiring from the industry at the time of the sale.

OXO

Farber founded OXO as a result of improvements he made to an everyday vegetable peeler. The difficulties presented by available peelers (and their handles) sparked an idea for Sam.

Farber unveiled the new line at the Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco, California, in 1990. Sam Farber named his company "OXO" for its "backward, upside-down and vertical graphic symmetry." Farber"s OXO products were more expensive than competitors", but the line proved a hit with consumers, who were willing to pay more for the new, easier-to-use utensils.

The Farber family sold OXO to General Housewares Corporation in 1992.

OXO is currently owned by Helen of Troy Limited, as of 2013. Mario Batali products

Sam and John Farber later created a line of products sold by chef Mario Batali. Boards

An art collector, Farber served on the board of directors for the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan.

He was a longtime resident of Manhattan but lived in Lexington, Massachusetts, during his later years.

Sam Farber died in East Meadow, New York, from of complications from a fall on June 16, 2013, at the age 88.

Membership

Farber served in North Africa and Turkey during World World War II as a member of the Army Air Forces.

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Sam Farber

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