Streamlining

During the years 1930 to 1940, America went into a severe depression. Even though the financial world was in turmoil, two World Fairs were opened; the 'Century of Progress' Fair was held in Chicago in 1933-34 and the 'World of Tomorrow' Fair held in New York in 1939-40. Design offices were given the chance to produce and promote their consumer products.

 Many new ideas were produced for the 1939 fair. Fluorescent lights, nylon stockings, commercial air-conditioning and Tele-vision were among some of the innovative ideas to appear.

'Streamlined' appeared in the 1900s. It gave rise to the idea of things to come, of science-fiction, of aerodynamics, especially with objects such as trains, airships, automobiles and boats.

Designers created streamlined designs to reduce drag on moving objects and to improve the appearance of objects such as radios and refrigerators. The word being defined as something smooth with soft, sweeping curves.

Raymond Loewy's streamlined pencil sharpener

After the close of World War II, there was a new development of the new electric refrigerators and kitchen appliances. These became cost-saving and the idea was to reduce manufacturing costs and increase production. Sales increased and only the larger mass producing factories could keep up the demand.

Fridge with streamlined design made by Crosley between 1930 and 1940

'The Comet' was one of the first streamlined trains. It was designed in 1935 by Donald Dohner. He used aluminium framing thus making it very lightweight.

'The Comet' built in 1935.

Products produced in masses during the 'Streamline Era' were not only influenced by design, but also by new advances in machinery, new systems and new materials.

Industrial Design History.com, 2011. The Streamline Era. [online] Available at: <http://www.industrialdesignhistory.com/node/1022> [Accessed 4 December 2013].