Braun Cylindric T2 Table Lighter, Dieter Rams, 1968

The Braun Cylindric T2 Table Lighter was manufactured in between 1968 and 1970 by Braun AG in Frankfurt, Germany and also in Ireland. It was inspired by the development of the invention of the magnetic ignition technology. The table lighter was available in many various finishes like: painted metal, plain chrome plated steel and in diamond texture (see picture). The whole type specification:

• 6822 / 272  metal silver-plated, lengthwise ruffled
• 6822 / 708  metal silver-plated, unruffled surface
• 6822 / 712  plastic red                            
• 6822 / 713  plastic blue
• 6822 / 715  plastic black, black cap
• 6822 / 716  plastic black, chrome-plated cap
• 6822 / 717  plastic orange
• 6822 / 718  metal chrome-plated, annulated struktur
• 6822 / 730  plexiglass
• 6822 / 302  metal chrome-plated, unruffled grounded
• 6822 / 303  metall chrome-plated, lengthwise ruffled
• 6822 / 304  metall black, annulated struktur
• 6822 / 305  metall silver-plated, checked pattern

This gas butane lighter was designed for Braun by the famous German designer Dieter Rams born in 1932. Next to this lighter he designed also the ET 55 Calculator (1980), SK 4/10 Radio-Phonograph (1956), H 3 Heater-Ventilator (1962) and the Loudspeaker Model No. LE 1 (1960). The Braun Cylindric is part of the permanent collection  of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.

As a smoker, Rams loved to design lighters as “small sculptural objects” which should be “a pleasure to look at and to use.” According to an article in the Design Museum  website "his chief challenge with the T2 was identifying the precise place on the side of the cylinder at which the thumb could apply the greatest pressure to the magnetic ignition pad".

If someone is interested in the the inner part of the lighter you may find the article "Cylindric Ultrasonic Bat Detector" very useful.

Marked on the bottom of the base (black plastic):

BRAUN
Made in Ireland

or

BRAUN
Made in West Germany 
 (serial number)

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $70.00–130.00 (approx €55.00–100.00)

Weight: 275 grams (0,60 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.6 cm (3 3/8")
• diameter: 5.4 cm (2 1/8")