Behind the product: OXO Good Grips

Published 10th August 2026

Why does a vegetable peeler need a soft, oversized handle?

The answer begins with a problem experienced by Betsey Farber, who had arthritis and found traditional kitchen tools difficult to grip. Her husband, Sam Farber, saw an opportunity to rethink everyday kitchen utensils, eventually working with New York design firm Smart Design to develop a new range.

OXO Good Grips launched in 1990 with 15 kitchen tools, including the now-iconic vegetable peeler. Instead of designing specifically for people with arthritis, the team set out to create products that would be comfortable and easy to use for as wide a range of people as possible.

The distinctive handle was central to the design. The team explored numerous prototypes and materials before developing the wide, oval-shaped form with a soft, non-slip thermoplastic rubber surface. Flexible fins helped provide grip and control, including when hands were wet.

The result is a classic example of inclusive, or universal, design. Rather than creating a product that singled out users with particular needs, OXO made accessibility part of the everyday design. The same features that made the tools easier for someone with limited grip strength also made them comfortable and practical for everyone else.

For design and technology, OXO Good Grips demonstrates how observing users, identifying a problem and experimenting with form and materials can lead to a simple but significant design solution.

It is a useful reminder that good design does not always start with inventing something new. Sometimes, it starts by asking a very simple question: how could this everyday product work better for more people?