This is the second post in a small series of previously unpublished short essays to feature a selection of objects that have served as inspiration for designers. Each item would have about 150 or so words written to describe them and what inspiration they provided. The book unfortunately didn’t get published, and I thought it’d be great to share some of the shorts in a series of posts here on our Bulletin. 

2.

This is a Matchbox Porsche I played with as a kid. While I can’t remember the occasion I received it anymore, I remember having the toy as the moment I learned about Porsche and my love of cars and their design. From there forward, I vowed to one day have a Porsche 911 Turbo as my daily driver (dream car was reserved for a Lamborghini Diablo).  

The Porsche 911 has remained a timeless design influence for its balance of the impractical and practical—I could easily haul ass to the grocery store AND fit groceries in the car. For me, the car is a reminder of my kid self—curious of the world, freedom, and going fast. I grew up in Houston, Texas, where there is wide open space and a strong car culture (see: art cars, slabs/swangas, among others). I started to learn to drive at 11 and the idea of having my own car one day was a means of independence I looked forward to. Not too many other girls I knew growing up played with toy cars, let alone drew out maps of places to drive and park toy cars.

While I can’t say I have extensive knowledge about things like engines, cam shafts, et cetera, I believe my introduction through play has fueled many nontraditional interests and the hunger for equally nontraditional ideas and abilities—fast.