The Oates All Australian mop bucket designed by industrial designers Gerard Mussett and Phillip Slattery is an outstanding example of design innovation from Victoria. The design concept was patented, has been recognised with Australian Design Awards, and is in the permanent collection of the Powerhouse Museum. The innovative mop bucket was in development in 1985 when I was still a student and I recall the project because a good friend was working with Gerry and Phillip in the Little Oxford Street studio of DesignLab. I was also very fortunate to have Gerry and Phillip as lecturers at RMIT. The team were briefed to provide concepts for the existing heavy galvanised metal buckets at a time when polished flooring was becoming more popular in Australia homes. The concept of an all plastic mop bucket was totally innovative at the time, and was, eventually, given the go ahead to prototype. Supported by patent protection this great idea has been an outstanding commercial success for more than quarter of a century.
Original fabricated prototype of the innovative Australian designed Oates All Australian mop bucket designed by industrial designers Gerard Mussett and Phillip Slattery 1986. The distinctive curved foot rest detail was added following prototype testing.
Image from design registration of the Oates All Australian mop bucket designed by industrial designers Gerard Mussett and Phillip Slattery.
The Oates All Australian mop bucket is still in production and was chosen as the hero image for the State of Design 2009 exhibition curated by Ian Wong - STILL09.
The Oates All Australian mop bucket featured in the 175 Years of Victorian Design exhibition curated by Ian Wong.
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