Sam Farber

Samuel "Sam" Farber (November 16, 1924 – June 16, 2013) was an American industrial designer and businessman. Farber and his son, John Farber, co-founded OXO, a manufacturer of kitchen utensils and housewares.^[1][2] Farber is credited with revolutionizing the kitchen utensil industry by developing and introducing a line of utensils with plastic-coated black handles through OXO.^[1] While more expensive than traditional utensils, the new soft, black handled utensils proved to be a success with consumers.^[1][2]

Sam Farber was born on November 16, 1924, in New York City, though he was raised in nearby Yonkers, New York.^[2] His father, Louis Farber, established Farber Brothers, which sold serving ware. His uncle, Simon Farber, founded Farberware, which manufactures kitchen appliances and cookware.^[1] He served in North Africa and Turkey during World War II as a member of the Army Air Forces.^[1] Farber received a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1946.^[1]

In 1960, Farber founded Copco, which manufactured enamel-coated, cast iron cookware.^[1] He sold Copco in 1982, largely retiring from the industry at the time of the sale.^[1]

Farber founded OXO as a result of improvements he made to an everyday vegetable peeler.^[1] While vacationing in a rented home in southern France, Betsy Farber, who suffered from some arthritis, was trying to peel apples, which was proved difficult using a peeler with a standard design.^[1][2] The difficulties with available peelers (and their handles) sparked an idea for Sam Farber. Farber and his son, John, soon hired Smart Design, an industrial design firm based in New York City.^[1] Together, they created a new product line of kitchen utensils with soft plastic-coated black handles, making it easier to hold and utilize the utensils, such as peelers.^[1] He unveiled the new line at the Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco, California, in 1990.^[2] Sam Farber named his company "OXO" for its "backward, upside-down and vertical graphic symmetry."^[2] Farber's OXO products were more expensive, but the line proved a hit with consumers, who paid more for the new, easier-to-use utensils.^[1][2]

The Farber family sold OXO to General Housewares Corporation in 1992. OXO is currently owned by Helen of Troy Limited, as of 2013.^[1]

Sam and John Farber later created a line of products sold by chef Mario Batali.^[1] An art collector, Farber served on the board of directors for the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan.^[1] He was a longtime resident of Manhattan, but lived in Lexington, Massachusetts, during his later years.^[2]

Sam Farber died in East Meadow, New York, from of complications from a fall on June 16, 2013, at the age 88.^[1] He was survived by his second wife, Betsey Wells Kriegsman, whom he married in 1985; his two sons from his first marriage, John Farber and Thomas Farber; two stepchildren, Mark Kriegsman and Sue Kriegsman; four granddaughters; and three step-granddaughters.^[2]

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