American Design Ethic: A History of Industrial Design

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Arthur J. Pulos

The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1986, 1983, English

Nonfiction, Product/Industrial Design

ISBN: 9780262160858

From the Publisher. This first history of American products and the philosophy behind their design, use, and manufacture points to the process - the interaction between industrial technology and culture—that gave form to an American “ethic” in material products and helped shape the life style of its citizens. Pulos discusses the influences and fashions as well as the major figures and schools of design from Colonial times to the 1940s. Central to the story are the objects and artifacts themselves—Shaker chairs, Colonial tea kettles, clipper ships, Sullivan's skyscraper department store; the work of Norman Bel Geddes, Raymond Loewy, Russel Wright and Walter Teague as seen in cars, cameras, housewares, boats, locomotives. These objects and many others, are illustrated in over 300 unusual photographs, engravings, ads and drawings.

On 2 book lists

Chris Bangle

On Chris Bangle’s Book List

A great read about the history of industrial design in the U. S. Very quotable; fantastic revelations. I finally understand that the American Revolution was really an Intellectual property war set off by the China of the time—the American Colonies!

Dan Formosa

On Dan Formosa’s Book List

Published in 1983, this is great book on design. I’m especially fascinated by the opening chapters covering the early history of design in America. Innovations evolved not just from a need to survive in the new frontier—American design and technology was part a deliberate effort to separate America from its European ties. Political from the start.

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