A short history of design made in the USA

The history of design is closely linked to that of the industrial revolution that followed the Great War. Mechanised production brought with it ...

Design MarketNovember 2017

The history of design is closely linked to that of the industrial revolution that followed the Great War. Mechanised production brought with it a new era in the human environment, influenced by industrialists and no longer solely by craftsmen and artists, particularly in the USA . In the wake of the 1929 crisis, American manufacturers realised the importance of aesthetics in the commercial success of mass-market products. From the steam engine to the first skyscrapers, this new era took shape with the help of technological innovations. France, weakened by the war and shortages of raw materials, handed over the production of furniture to other countries, including the USA, where the word "design" came into common usage. NewBauhaus - Source Source The Bauhaus was reborn across the Atlantic in 1937 in Chicago. The Bauhaus school was forced to move several times until it was definitively closed by the forces of order on 11 April 1933, until it reopened its doors in the United States. However, the spirit was no longer entirely the same and its director, Moholy-Nagy, wishing to restore experimentation to its rightful place, founded the School of Design in 1933 (which became the Institute of Design in 1944). This establishment was to have a major influence on the new generation of American architects and designers. In the USA, the manufacture of furniture in small series began, notably at Hermann Miller, which contributed to the expansion of design. The 1950s style featured sober, uncluttered lines, flat surfaces and octagonal shapes. Manufacturing techniques such as moulding and the use of new materials gave rise to modular, functional furniture. The Lounge Chair by Eames for Hermann Miller - Source Source Tulip dining table and set of five Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll - Available here In the United States , the world of design is structured around two strong personalities: George Nelson and the Eames Eames couple. They were architects, designers, graphic artists and writers. Nelson started out in architecture, before turning successfully to design and interior decoration. He designed some of the great classics of American design from the 40s to the 60s, such as the iconoclastic Marshmallow sofa from 1956. Nelson was also a pioneer of sustainable development and an early advocate of environmental ideas. Marshmallow sofa by George Nelson - Source Source Source Coconut armchair by George Nelson - Source Source The Eames couple are representative of the democratisation of design, with the rise of mass production. The office furniture and benches designed for airports are good illustrations of this, as are the Tandem Sling seats still in use today in airports all over the world. Rocker armchair in fibreglass by Charles and Ray Eames - Source Source Source Finally, we should mention another influential designer on the other side of the Atlantic: Harry Bertoia Harry Bertoia . Harry Bertoia, of Italian origin, created the Bertoia collection from Knoll . Bertoia produced very few pieces during his career, but the vigour of his style is instantly recognisable. His name will always be closely associated with the "grill style", named after the famous wire chairs he made for Knoll in the early 1950s. Diamond armchair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll - Source Source Thanks to its innovative designers of the time, the USA has produced dozens of iconic pieces that are now the most sought-after on the market. Check out our collection of iconic American pieces to find them!

A short history of design made in the USA

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