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The Machine Age in America: 1918-1941
"A stunning array of images of art, architecture, industrial design and household objects from the age in which the machine was seen as a potent and fresh inspiration." --New York Times Book Review "An exemplary book. . . . The illustrations alone would make this book most important for anyone interested in 20th-century America. . . . The Machine Age becomes, simply, indispensable. --Choice "An excellent book." --Time Originally published to accompany a landmark 1986 exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, this comprehensive look at American art, architecture, photography, film, and industrial and graphic design in the years between the two world wars. Art Deco, Modern, Streamlined Modern, International Style, Constructivism, and other styles of the Machine Age are examined in detailed text and more than 400 arresting images.
376 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 17, 2025
I found this book to be a bit difficult, because I lack a strong background in early 20th century art movements (e.g. Bauhaus, Da-Da, Cubism, etc.). Also, there were a lot of designer names that were unfamiliar to me. So, I found it a little difficult to glean all of the meaning that the authors intended to relay.
It seemed very important to the authors to connect machine-made concepts to the topics. Unfortunately, I couldn't grasp these connections and felt stupid. Maybe a second read-through will provide the necessary "Ah-ha!" moment that they're trying to invoke.
All that being said, I enjoyed the design history of cars, trains, houses, furniture, skyscrapers, Dams, roads and household items.
The reference to the big shift to the application of color to household items and decor (and cars) from the innate colors of their constituent materials was fascinating. The pre-WWI mindset strove for practical and simple households (i.e. not fancy or glamorous). By 1930, people were ready for manufacturers to add color to ordinary items to stimulate sales.
It seemed very important to the authors to connect machine-made concepts to the topics. Unfortunately, I couldn't grasp these connections and felt stupid. Maybe a second read-through will provide the necessary "Ah-ha!" moment that they're trying to invoke.
All that being said, I enjoyed the design history of cars, trains, houses, furniture, skyscrapers, Dams, roads and household items.
The reference to the big shift to the application of color to household items and decor (and cars) from the innate colors of their constituent materials was fascinating. The pre-WWI mindset strove for practical and simple households (i.e. not fancy or glamorous). By 1930, people were ready for manufacturers to add color to ordinary items to stimulate sales.
February 9, 2011
Excellent text, themes, organization, and illustrations. The exhibition must have been something. The book lives on though.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews