Making toast

An innovative creation by a Northumbria University student could signal the end of the traditional two-slice pop-up toaster.

Third year Design for Industry student George Watson, 21, has invented a device called 'Glide', a ceramic, upright, 'motion toaster', designed for use at the breakfast table. His invention has already won an international design contest, and grabbed the attention of a number of global kitchen product manufacturers.

Glide has been designed with smooth, modern, attractive lines and colours, and sliced bread moves through heated plates and emerges toasted and ready to drop into the integrated toast rack.

"Breakfast was traditionally a family activity, but these days families rarely have the time or the inclination to sit down together and enjoy it together. 'Glide' was designed to encourage families, especially children, to come back to the breakfast table. It engages the user, is fun to use and is a social focal point,” said Watson, who's originally from Twickenham, but now lives in Jesmond, Newcastle.