By Karin Bendixen
Photos: Ergonomy DesignGroup and SAS Information Department

Millions of passengers have been poured a good cup of coffee on SAS flights - the Scandinavian Airlines System - while the cabin crew were often afflicted with disorders in their hands and arms. Up to the mid 80es, SAS used a heavy and unhandy stainless steel coffee pot.

A member of the cabin crew holding a coffepot

SAS commissioned the Swedish Ergonomy Design Group to design an ergonomic coffee pot that would reduce occupational hazards and make work easier. A series of very simple prototypes was manufactured and, after several evaluation sessions with cabin crew, the final design was made.

Although the coffee pot was designed to improve working conditions for fully capable users, it has turned out to be beneficial for people with weak hands, too. While the distance between the handle and the centre of gravity has been minimised, the full coffee-pot is less heavy than its predecessor (1.95 kilos compared to 2.5 kilos).

To the left: A coffepot. To the right: Heaps of coffepots

In production from 1987 to 1996, the coffee pot won design awards in 1987 and 1988 and went on to sell 100,000 pieces. The pot is still in use on SAS flights.

Published in Crisp & Clear No. 4, December 2000