Why The Fork Podcast: Everyday Design for Curious Minds

In this modern age, we take for granted all the everyday objects that make our lives appreciably easier. For those with a design sense and insatiable curiosity, this podcast is definitely in your sonic wheelhouse.

 Why the Fork -- Everyday Design for Curious Minds -- is a podcast that explores the hidden stories and design history behind everyday objects. It delves into how these items came to be, who designed them, and where they might be headed in the future. The podcast is hosted by Ben Diamant, a creative innovator and inventor of consumer goods, and Phil Staunton, a product innovation strategist.

The podcast has just completed its first few episodes, and has already  created a buzz, due to its narrative excellence, informational heft, and cure for human curiosity. 

The show, while independent, is produced by a production design company called D2M.

On its website, D2M states: "We’re a product design agency made up of experienced, commercially aware designers not just creatives, but specialists who understand what it takes to deliver successful physical products. Our team includes talented product and textile designers working closely with engineers, prototyping experts and a trusted network of industry professionals across a wide range of sectors." 

D2M Product Design was founded in 2010 by Phil Staunton after identifying a clear gap in the market. Very few agencies offered a complete, start-to-finish service.  The company set out to build a product design agency that could support clients from concept through to market launch, with clear, practical support at every stage.

The company's process covers prototyping, sourcing, manufacturing, brand development, marketing and intellectual property protection. Every project is tailored, drawing on their extended team of experts to add value where it matters most.

Ben also talks to product design expert Phil Staunton, founder of D2M, about how the tin opener has developed and if there's room for improvement.

He's also joined by Robert Van Varick, Chief Design Officer at Michael Graves Design, to chat about the future of the can opener. Will we see a laser tin opener in our kitchens?!

Ben Diamant finds out about the backpack's military beginnings (hello Napoleon) and how it made the jump onto most people's backs. And why it's become one of those products that has many types and uses. 

The episodes average about 40 minutes, with a well-developed script to tell the tales of the origin of these everyday objects. For company design guys, the co-hosts are superb -- natural, funny, and not averse to pointing out the absurd. The show has chosen well for its guests, since all three have been fascinating. 

The show has excellent sound quality, with appropriate intro and segment music, and the show knows how to tell a story. 

For example, in the hair straightener episode, co-host Ben Diamant finds out that the hair straightener's story includes racism, phantom inventors, burning hair and (possibly most importantly) Rachel from Friends.

In the episode, the co-hosts discuss hair straightener design, creating something completely different, and how you take new products to market.

In the backpack episode, co-host Ben Diamant, finds out about the backpack's military beginnings (hello, Napoleon) and how it made the jump onto most people's backs. And why it's become one of those products that has many types and uses. The co-hosts also speak to an expert in backpack design – Sam Whetton. He's a Design Director at Stitch, the Founder of Reika, a sustainable and ethical bag maker.  

My favorite episode is the show on the can opener. Why did it take so long to invent, and how is it a marvel of design simplicity? 

Check out Why the Fork. It's one of those superb, independent, narrative, informational podcasts that is disappearing as large podcast networks pack their show rosters with either celebrity-driven interview shows (cheap to do) or true-crime shows that take a more performative than investigative (also cheap to do).