page_title: Sofono Spacemaster
section_title: Design
hierarchical_section_title: Sofono Spacemaster / Design
caption_attribution_description: English: Right-hand control panel of the Spacemaster convector-reflector heater showing pilot light and thermostat control.
context_page_description: The Sofono Spacemaster, and Spacemaster range of domestic electric convector or convector/reflector heaters was produced by the Sofono Electrical Division of Federated Foundries Ltd, Falkirk, Scotland, UK in the mid-20th century. Their distinctive appearance, often referred to as “atomic”, “flying-saucer” or “sputnik”, has ensured their popularity amongst retro style enthusiasts from the late 1990s onwards.
context_section_description: The Spacemaster range was designed by Ralph Cameron Ormiston (1921-2000) who is also noted for designing the Carron “Cordon Bleu” cooker, a forerunner of the modern range cooker. The design of the Spacemaster range reflects the contemporary interest in space following the successful launching of Sputnik 1 in 1957. The style falls into the category often referred to as Mid-Century Modern.
  The basic shape of the heaters is a disk with each side an extremely shallow cone. The essential structure consists of two large discs of pressed steel clamped between chrome-plated grilles. This simple and lightweight construction made the units easily portable. The heater is mounted on slim triangular chrome-plated legs, and has white handles to either side made from stay-cool compression-moulded urea-formaldehyde plastic. The internal components can be easily accessed by the removal of the four set-screws underneath the handles, after which the top grille and back panel simply lift off. 
  Spacemasters were issued initially in a choice of so-called “Home & Garden” colours: Mocha, Flame, Clover Pink, Cloud Grey, and Gunmetal. In 1963, a black version was added to the range. Each unit sported the named colour to the front, and a lighter colour to the back.
  All units measured about 69 cm (27 inches) high and about 65 cm (25½ inches) wide. Depth varied depending on the power of the convector heater, being either 11.5 cm (4½ inches) for 1 kilowatt convection units, or 14 cm (5½ inches) for 2 kilowatt.
  The only known design variation through the life of the Spacemaster range is to the supports. At some point, the triangular feet were replaced with a simpler rod design.
caption: Right-hand panel with pilot light and thermostat control.
exif: {}