The Legendary Designer Behind Luke's Landspeeder, Tom Karen OBE, Passed Away At Age 96

Star Wars

Jan 4

Legendary industrial designer Tom Karen OBE passed away at the age of 96 on December 31, 2022. He went peacefully, surrounded by family, which included his daughters Eugenie and Josephine. Karen is known for many iconic cult classic designs, including the vehicle that was used as the base for Luke’s landspeeder in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Tom Karen was born in March 1926 in Vienna, Austria. Early on, his family left the country, and Karen eventually settled in England in 1942. Here, he studied aeronautical engineering at Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England. Eventually, Karen became the managing director of Ogle Design following the death of David Ogle. He held this position from 1962 to 1999. During this time, he helped design several iconic cars, including the 1970s sports car Reliant Bond Bug. He would use its chassis as the basis for Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder in A New Hope.

Bond Bug — Image Source: Classic Cars Wiki

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Another notable non-vehicular design Karen created involves a toy. The master creator designed the plastic version of a wooden marble run track! It’s something so simple yet so entertaining and enjoyable for anyone of any age.

A retrospective exhibit honoring Karen’s work is currently open at the Museum at One Garden City in Letchworth, United Kingdom. They will reportedly open a condolence book in the exhibit. His sketchbooks, which hold designs for the Raleigh Chopper bike, were sold and are currently in the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

The work of Tom Karen is absolutely irreplaceable and will continue to influence and inspire. Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friends.

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