# Neo-Nostalgic Bread Browners The Bao Toaster Goes Low-Tech to Encourage Tactile Interaction By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-06-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bao-toaster References: [designspotter](http://www.designspotter.com/product/2012/06/Bao-Toaster.html) & [cargocollective](http://cargocollective.com/studiobup/Bao) As many engineers and designers are busily striving to churn out new objects with increased automation for optimal convenience, concepts like the Bao Toaster are thankfully still emerging. [Studio Bup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragments-becoming) has worked to conceive this charming kitchen appliance with the goal of renewing the relationship between the consumer and his food. What they've developed is a rethinking of the [conventional modern toaster](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cuisinart-smart-elite-2slice-toaster) in favor of a [ceramic box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hapffe-waffle-maker) with a trapdoor and a whimsically warped heating element. Compared to metal, the clay-based body of the device feels much softer on the skin when hot and the coil's cartoony shape leaves a hint of an outline of an incandescent lightbulb on your bread. The Bao Toaster cooks one side of your slice at a time, requiring and enabling you to manually monitor and control the color and temperature of your meal. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Low-tech Appliances:** Developing low-tech versions of popular appliances to encourage tactile interaction with food. - **Neo-nostalgic Design:** Utilizing nostalgic design elements to create a renewed relationship between consumers and everyday objects. - **Manual Control Kitchen Gadgets:** Designing kitchen gadgets that allow users to manually monitor and control the cooking process for a personalized experience. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Appliances:** Appliance manufacturers can explore low-tech versions that offer a unique user experience. - **Design:** Designers can incorporate nostalgic elements in their creations to evoke a sense of connection and authenticity. - **Kitchen Gadgets:** Kitchen gadget manufacturers can develop products that give users more control over the cooking process for a customizable experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modern Japanese Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-toaster.md) - [Touchscreen Interface Smart Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toasty-one.md) - [Precision Touchscreen-Enabled Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tineco-toasty-one.md) - [Bakery-Grade Countertop Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balmuda-toaster-pro.md) - [Rocking Robotic Toaster Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-toaster.md) - [Optic Sensor Smart Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breville-eye-q-auto.md) - [Sliding Easy-Access Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slide-toaster.md) - [Visualized Intelligent Toaster Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cuisinart-simplitouch-xl.md) - [Multi-Position Bread Toasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taurus-toaster-30.md)