{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O158296"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O158296/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX8549/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX8549/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009BX8549","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009BX8548","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O158296","accessionNumber":"W.29:1 to 4-2008","objectType":"Personal computer","titles":[{"title":"iMac G3","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The iMac G3 personal computer revolutionised the aesthetics of computers at the end of the 1990s and influenced the shapes and colours of all types of domestic electrical products. The distinctive appearance was due to Apple's Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, the British designer Jonathan Ive.  His innovation was to house the computer in translucent coloured polycarbonate rather than giving it a standard grey box, enhancing its presence and appeal to a broad market. This is an example of the first model of iMac G3 computer designed in 1998, which was only available in 'Bondi Blue' and had a tray disk drive. Within a year this was superseded by a model with a slot disk drive and five new colours.\r\n\r\nThis example was bought about 2000 by Philip Steadman, a Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, who chose it because of Apple computers' reputation amongst designers and architects for graphics capabilities.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Ive, Jonathan","id":"A22677"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Apple Inc","id":"A22676"},"association":{"text":"designers","id":"AAT25190"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Apple Inc","id":"A22676"},"association":{"text":"manufacturers","id":"AAT25230"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Electrical appliance","id":"THES49024"},{"text":"Product design","id":"THES49025"},{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Plastic","id":"THES49026"},{"text":"Interiors","id":"THES48933"},{"text":"Shekou","id":"THES279777"},{"text":"Values of Design","id":"THES279818"},{"text":"Design Society","id":"THES279819"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2009BX8549","2009BX8548"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"2","shelf":"PLINTH","box":""},{"current":{"text":"007","id":"THES412741"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"007","id":"THES412741"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES341239"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"monitors (data processing equipment)","id":"AAT168339"}],[{"text":"keyboards (machine components)","id":"AAT24533"}],[{"text":"mice","id":"AAT168291"}],[{"text":"cables","id":"AAT14618"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1998","earliest":"1998-01-01","latest":"1998-12-31"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""},{"date":{"text":"1998-1999","earliest":"1998-01-01","latest":"1999-12-31"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Philip Steadman","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"380","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Body housing the monitor + CPU"},{"dimension":"Width","value":"375","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Body housing the monitor + CPU"},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"440","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Body housing the monitor + CPU"}],"dimensionsNote":"Measured from the object","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This computer was bought at the end of the 1990s by the donor, a Professor of Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London","historicalContext":"The iMac G3 introduced a new colourful aesthetic to the design of computer hardware that was very influential on the design of all types of consumer electrical products in the late 1990s.","briefDescription":"iMac G3 personal computer, designed by Jonathan Ive for Apple Inc, 1998, manufactured by Apple Inc, 1998-9, translucent blue and white polycarbonate casing","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Playful design for the creative mind\n\nThe Apple iMac G3 revolutionised the look of computers in the late 1990s. Designer Jonathan Ive housed the iMac in a translucent, coloured plastic case, transforming the device into a distinctive and creative tool that appealed to a wide audience. Following the success of the iMac G3, playful designs of home and office electronics became more widely available.\n\nTranslucent desktop computer \niMac G3, 1998 (manufactured 1998–99)\nDesigned by Jonathan Ive \nManufactured for Apple, USA \nPolycarbonate case, glass screen and electronic components Given by Philip Steadman \nMuseum no. W.29:1 to 3-2008\n\nThe object sits in the 'Automation and Labour' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.","date":{"text":"2021","earliest":"2021-01-01","latest":"2021-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["W.29:1-2008","W.29:2-2008","W.29:3-2008","W.29:4-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"29","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","iMAc G3 personal computer power lead","iMAc G3 personal computer mouse","iMAc G3 personal computer keyboard","iMAc G3 personal computer monitor"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-10","recordCreationDate":"2008-07-01","availableToBook":false}}