London via Surrey

Designs that have stood the test of time

From historical artifacts to cutting-edge technology, the V&A's Design 1900—Now traces design history across six core themes:

Automation and Labour
Housing and Living
Crisis and Conflict
Consumption and Identity
Sustainability and Subversion
Data and Communication

Through ‘Rapid Response Collecting’, the V&A acquires objects tied to major cultural moments — even accepting public nominations.

The gallery's February 2026 update introduced 60 new contemporary items, including Labubu blind-box toys, YouTube's first video, Starface pimple patches, and Loop Earplugs. By elevating everyday objects to museum artifacts, the exhibit sparked widespread viral attention across TikTok and Instagram.

Here are 7 designs that have stood the test of time:

Everyday Glassware — Finnish designer Aino Aalto created these pieces for a 1930s affordable glassware contest, using raised rings to disguise imperfections in budget glass. Finnish glassmaker Iittala still manufactures them today.

IKEA Catalogue — Founded in 1943, IKEA revolutionized space-efficient furniture and everyday household items through flat-pack design. Its 2003 catalogue reached a print run of 131 million, making it the world's most widely circulated publication.

Fun Fact: Introduced in 2009, the zippered IKEA FRAKTA Storage Bag for Cart became a cult favorite for college moves and travel. Holding up to 55 lbs, it is so ubiquitous that several airlines require passengers to sign damage waivers before checking them as makeshift luggage.

Plastic Stacking Chair — Released in 1963 after three years of development by Robin Day, this ubiquitous plastic polypropylene stacking chair is a staple in classrooms, dining halls, and conference rooms around the globe — with over 14 million sold and counting.

Swatch Watch — The rise in the use of plastics made Swatch watches possible in the 80s. Built with only half the number of parts, it made Swiss watches accessible to the masses. Beginning in 2022, Swatch entered the quasi-luxury market with high-demand collaborations alongside Omega, Blancpain, and Audemars Piguet. These ‘budget-luxury’ releases aim to cultivate long-term brand loyalty — though only ‘time’ will tell if this design strategy will have staying power.

Running Blade — Medical engineer Van Phillips modeled this prosthetic after a cheetah's hind leg in 1984. Today, roughly 90% of Paralympic sprinters use this design.

iPhone — Launched in 2007, it quite literally is ‘The phone that changed everything’. Advertised as the ‘revolution product’, it has fundamentally changed how we live.

Amazon Warehouse Robot — If the iPhone transformed personal life, Amazon’s autonomous warehouse robots redefined logistics. Introduced in 2012, these self-driving units fetch products across fulfillment centers — which average 800,000 square feet (roughly 14 football fields) — and deliver them directly to human workers. This automation drastically reduced processing times, enabling same-day and in some instances even just a few hours. With advances in robotics, Rosie from The Jetson’s is likely not far into the future.

With displays constantly rotating with new acquisitions, the Design 1900–Now gallery offers a fresh experience with every visit.