Fiskars Scissors Universal

Fiskars scissors are a design classic, found in many homes across Europe and the United States. The Finnish company Fiskars, manufacturer of these iconic ergonomic scissors, has reported selling over one billion units since 1967—a history that precedes OXO Good Grips, the ergonomic peeler now in MoMA’s collection.

The first pair of the best selling Fiskars scissors, designed by Olof Bäckström was produced in 1967. Before then, most scissors were heavy, made of iron, and expensive. Bäckström’s design used plastic for the handles and stamped steel for the blades, simplifying and reducing production costs. Over time, the design evolved with changes to the cutting angle and the use of more durable plastics starting in the 1980s.

In Finland, Bäckström’s homeland, these scissors are a symbol of national pride and an emblem of Finnish design. Their success is attributed to their ergonomic design, which revolutionized the concept of scissors.

The choice of orange color was random, resulting from leftover plastic used for an orange citrus juicer. The popularity and success of this choice were so great that Fiskars Orange became a registered trademark in Finland in 2003.