Industrial Strength Design: How Brooks Stevens Shaped Your World

by Glenn Adamson, John Heskett (Contributor), Kristina Wilson (Contributor)

The first publication documenting the work of Brooks Stevens, one of America's most influential twentieth-century designers. Industrial Strength How Brooks Stevens Shaped Your World is a long overdue introduction to the work of visionary industrial designer Brooks Stevens (1911-1995). Believing that an industrial designer "should be a businessman, an engineer, and a stylist, in that order," Stevens created thousands of ingenious and beautiful designs for industrial and household products—including a clothes dryer with a window in the front, a wide-mouthed peanut butter jar, and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. ("There's nothing more aerodynamic than a wiener," he explained.) He invented a precursor to the SUV by turning a Jeep into a station wagon after World War II, and streamlined steam irons so that they resembled aircraft. It was Brooks Stevens who, in 1954, coined the phrase "planned obsolescence," defining it as "instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary." This concept has since been blamed for everything from toasters that stop working to today's throwaway culture, but Stevens was simply recognizing the intentionally ephemeral nature of a designer's work. Asked once to name his favorite design, he replied, "none, because every one would have to be restudied for the tastes of tomorrow." This book, which accompanied an exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum (the repository for Stevens's papers), includes 250 illustrations of designs by Stevens and his firm, many in color. Glenn Adamson, exhibition curator, contributes detailed studies of individual designs. John Heskett, Kristina Wilson, and Jody Clowes contribute interpretive essays. Also included are a description of the Brooks Stevens Archive and several key writings by Brooks Stevens.

Genres: Design, Biography

232 pages, Hardcover

First published June 20, 2003

Reviews

[Topaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good overall history of a major figure in modern industrial design. While not as famous as the “big 4” industrial designers, Brooks Stevens had a very long and influential career.

The book is probably the most thorough account of his career and while other industrial design history books may mention Stevens, this book is the only one solely dedicated to his works.

There are many photos in the book showing many of the products designer by Stevens and his firm over several decades. The format is mostly chronological with a few short essays written by critics/historians, and ending with several essays written by Stevens himself.

This is a worthwhile read for industrial designers or those interested in 20th century product design history, or even pop culture history. I’m on the fence saying it is an “essential” book for a designer’s library, but considering you can get a nice used copy for about $10, I would say buy it.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a true pioneer of industrial design. It’s hard to believe how many products he helped design and how influential they were. The illustrations are superb and the text (except for some lame attempts to squeeze feminism into the story) is well done and informative.