When Less Costs More

               On a per part basis, the practice of subtracting material and carving out the most minimal form is sometimes referred to as skeletonizing. That is, anything non-essential to the most basic functionality of the object is removed. This is done ostensibly to save weight, to save cost, and boost performance. In instances where those gains are true, the 'skeletonized' form becomes no longer remarkable for its skeletal appearance. Rather it finds broad if not complete adoption within the category, becoming the standard: a bicycle frame, a spoke wheel, the wooden framing of a house. Rarely do we look at such structures and see them as minimalist statements of engineering or design. They have become too common to be remarkable.

An example of a form becoming skeletonized 

                Where the skeletonized form IS remarkable, is often where it is least necessary and most costly in production. These instances stand out in their rarity, precisely because they are economically and practically less viable than alternative forms, preventing widespread adoption. To create the internal cavities of a skeletonized part for instance, voids must be built into or machined out of the envelope of the part.  In all but very large parts, this provides minor weight reduction and frequently requires additional finishing work which raises the cost of the product.

                This cost/benefit equation tends to be the right decision in very specific set of circumstances, rather than the broad market. As of 2011, a U.S. soldier carries loads in excess of 80-120 lbs. depending on the specifics of the mission, according to ArmyTimes. When every additional pound creates fatigue leading to consequences of life and death, the additional fabrication costs of skeletonizing are more than warranted. As a result, utilitarian, survivalist, and military objects are the first to be carved out and skeletonized (knives, rifles, etc). These skeletonized forms become translated into the consumer market, in more extreme forms that loudly signify their 'tactical' importance more than they necessarily functioning as such. In short, skeletonizing loses its original impetus for existing and becomes (primarily) an aesthetic fetish for the consumer market. 

Google Image Search results for 'skeletonized design' returns 
mostly exotic knives, polymer rifle stocks, and designer watches