Ceramic toaster invented by student wins award

Posted 2010

A student from the north of England has won a design award for a new ceramic toaster. The competition received over five thousand entries, and contained a prize of over three thousand pounds.

Winning the award has led to the toaster being displayed at trade exhibitions in Italy, and receiving interest from manufacturers to develop and mass market the product.

Named the 'Glide', it aims to revolutionalize the process of 'toasting' bread, 'gliding' a slice of bread through an inch thick heated plate.

A little like the conveyor belt ovens you see cooking pizza's in Pizza Hut restaurants, the glide pushes the bread through the heated elements and deposits them on a toast rack.

The inventor, one G.Watson from Newcastle, states the purpose of the invention was to make toasting bread more fun.

He wished the glide to become a focus point of the breakfast table, which would bring the family together during the morning rush, and especially keep the interest of youngsters.

Whilst being a noble aspiration, it's debatable whether any toaster, no matter how ingenious could engage people long enough after the initial uniqueness of the idea has worn off.

What is for certain, the glide can be likened to a sculptured work of ark, fit to grace any kitchen, and certain to wow on it's first demonstration.