Jan 7, 2019
Late gift industry inventor to be honored at NY NOW

Noel Zeller, celebrated inventor, award-winning designer and founder of Zelco Industries Inc., passed away on September 13, 2018 at the age of 82, following a battle with liver cancer.  He leaves behind Adele, the love of his life as well as business partner, and his self-proclaimed “greatest achievements,” daughters Nikki and Gabby and two grandsons, Craig and Justin.

Noel Zeller

Founded by Noel and Adele Zeller in 1976, Zelco Industries Inc was an American success story. At its founding, Zelco products were designed, manufactured, marketed, and sold from the basement and garage of the family home in New York. From these simple beginnings, the company grew into a multi-national enterprise, with facilities in the U. S., Italy, Hong Kong and China, with a broad range of products distributed in over 30 countries worldwide.

His legacy will live on in his inventions and unique products throughout the world. A select display of gift and home products designed by Zeller will be displayed at the winter 2019 edition of NY NOW, February 3-6, 2019, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  Products to be displayed are: Shirt Pocket Fluorescent Lantern (1980), The Original “itty bitty” Booklight (1982), Aquatime Rope Clock (1988), Long Reach Flexible Flashlight (1989), Travel Thumper (1990), 1st Aid Alarm & Flashlight (1991), Aqua Pill Timer (1991), Ergonomic Calculator (1992), Brisk Brew (1992), Ultra Blast (2000), Bookmark Dictionary II (2003) and LED BBQ Light (2005).

Family members, Adele, Nikki, Gabby, Craig and Justin will be in attendance on Sunday, February 3, so that industry friends may pay their respects and share their memories.

From the beginning Zeller’s objective was to create some of the most exciting, innovative and useful products in the industry by combining functional design with the latest technology. Zeller believed that good design belongs to everyone. He invented products that were multi-functional, user friendly and affordable, always adhering to the highest standards of design technology and craftsmanship. His inventions include book lights, flashlights, lanterns, clocks, computer peripherals, calculators, weather instruments, electronic dictionaries, gourmet items and travel products.

A humble genius, known by all for his great sense of humor and love of life, Zeller invented many items and has hundreds of patents and trademarks to his name. He loved talking about his ideas and teaching young students in both high schools and colleges in New York.  His inventions are in the Smithsonian and other museums across the country.  Zeller earned international recognition with products in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art NY, multiple Accent on Design awards, and others including the Industrial Designers Society of America, Roscoe, Clio, SMAU, “G”, DESI, Pioneer and Andy. In the 1990’s, Zeller was also invited, together with other prominent industrial designers such as Steve Jobs, to be part of the White House Counsel on Design under President Bill Clinton.

Donations honoring Noel’s memory and legacy may be directed either to Columbia University for research atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (Dr. Allan Schwartz, Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032) or to Donna Klein Academy (DKJA), 9701 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33428.




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