One of the most unmistakable shapes in the world since its introduction in 1915, the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle is an influential symbol of design, art, and culture. Identified by its iconic contour fluted lines and described by noted industrial designer, Raymond Loewy as the perfect liquid wrapper, the bottle has been celebrated and revered in such mediums as art, music and advertising. From representations as a symbol of mass culture expressed by greats like Andy Warhol and Clive Barker to serving as a reference point for industry influencers such as Volkswagen who compared the shape of the Beetle to the bottle, the Coca-Cola bottle has been a benchmark for the past hundred years.
What began as a design brief to create a bottle that could be identified in the dark or lying broken on the ground today is one of the most recognised packages on the planet. Published on the occasion of the bottle’s centennial, ‘Kiss the Past Hello’ is a vibrant collection of images and art celebrating the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle not only as an icon of design but also as a symbol of optimism, happiness, and the shared moments in our lives. AUTHOR: Stephen Bayley is an author, critic, columnist, consultant, broadcaster, debater and curator. His best-selling books and award-winning journalism have, over the past thirty years, changed the way the world thinks about design. He is a contributing editor of GQ and Management Today and writes for a wide range of international publications. His most recent book is ‘Ugly: The Aesthetics Of Everything’ (2012). 100 illustrations