In an article “The iconic red phone box is voted nation’s favourite,” published on The Independent, Kashmira Gander covers the results of a study which asked UK adults what their favourite British design is.

Study results

Securing 39 per cent of the vote in first place, the red telephone box was voted the nation’s favourite British design. It beat the Routemaster Double Decker Bus with 28% per cent of votes, the Union Jack with 24% of votes, the Spitfire with 23% of votes, Rolls Royce with 22% of votes and the London Taxi with 21% of votes.

The study, which was called the Samsung Galaxy S6 Great British Design Study, was led by Professor McDermott. A panel of judges led by McDermott whittled down the country’s 25 best designs which were then put to 2,000 UK adults.

The ‘red telephone box’

The red telephone box being voted the best British design of all time would have greatly pleased Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Designed in 1924, the red telephone box is a familiar sight on British streets. It can also be found on the streets of Malta.

There were a few design iterations of the telephone box but the most famous is the red telephone box. Scott’s original; colour recommendation for the boxes, which were designed with a brief to make them blend in, was silver with a green-blue interior. The Post Office had the last say and opted for a red colour scheme to make them stand out.

You can find out more about the red telephone box at Gander’s article on The Independent