How do we measure the success of a designed object? One unusual but compelling potential metric: how inclined people are to try and steal for personal use or as souvenirs.

Apparently the Tate Britain’s cafe has been losing spoons at an alarming rate since introducing its patrons to this simple dual-sided design by Nicole Wermers, each side reflecting typical teaspoons of two different eras of British history.


“Regrettably a number of spoons have been taken from Tate Britain since we started using them,” Tate told Dezeen. “The vast majority of visitors have enjoyed using the spoon without removing them from the areas in which they are being used.” (Tate Britain Djanogly Café refurbished by Caruso St John)