This bottle was a constant presence in my Mom’s cardboard arsenal of sauces, spices and condiments. Who knew that such an innocuous looking bottle would have such an enduring effect on the world of design.

The New York Times recently had a brief article on Kenji Ekuan, the designer of the classic Kikkoman Soy Sauce Bottle. Apparently, the final design took three years and 100 prototypes to be perfected, but the dripless spout (based on an inverted teapot design), red plastic top and shapely glass bottle prove that patience pays off.

For the full article, go to The New York Times.