Hitler Tea Kettle
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:51 pm
The designer of the tea kettle doesn't see the likeness but is happy about the increased sales after the controversy that started over the billboards.
2013 https://www.cnbc.com/id/100798938
Michael Graves, one of America's most influential postmodern architects, is somewhat amused he is now Internet famous for a completely unintentional design—the so-called Hitler teapot.
Graves said he can't see the dictator's silhouette, but he does see the excellent sales figures.
"1,600 teapots last week," Graves told CNBC. "Bring on the controversy."
The teapot is one of the centerpiece items of JC Penney's relaunch of its home goods category, featuring designs from Graves, Jonathan Adler,Terence Conran and Martha Stewart.
When a giant picture of the teapot last month landed on a JCPenney billboard next to the San Diego Freeway, drivers started posting pictures online, saying it looked like Hitler.
After that, the teapot was briefly unavailable, causing a rush of sellers to eBay, followed by strong sales when the product to JCPenny's lineup. "They're on sale for $200 on eBay," Graves said during an interview Thursday with CNBC.