Norman Bel Geddes

Few industrial designers have had more influence on design, and proposed objects and systems that changed the world more, than Norman Bel Geddes. And yet he is best remembered for a cocktail shaker. Or as Miss Ellie's father (Google it, kids). Here is a tiny little amount of evidence of his greater genius.

[@TheGuardianReflex]

I've felt this sentiment after watching each of your videos, but I have to say that I'm sort of stunned by how much insight I feel I've gained from your lectures, compared to education I have had. Your abilities as an orator surpass many professors I've paid to be lectured by in the past and it's both bizarre and awesome that I can access your work for free. I sincerely hope more of your work becomes available on this channel or elsewhere, as it's quickly becoming a very potent source of inspiration for me academically. Thank you.

[@HistoryofID]

+GuardianReflex MANY thanks for your kind words and encouragement!

[@sector13studios]

Great video on my favorite industrial designer. I am currently working on Starcar #9 my interpretation of Geddes futuristic motorcar #9

[@adamrice2847]

If you could go back into time and interview Bel Geddes and say "You are the DeVinci of our time" His reply " That's ridiculous I don't paint!" Ironman!

[@TheImmovableMovers]

Wow! Thank you for this enlightening presentation. Cheers

[@ChristenBooth]

This was a really insightful and engaging look at Geddes' work! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@dylankulbok3388]

Excellent video. Very informative and great presentation. This was a joy to watch and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a short introduction to Norman Bel Geddes' work. Thanks

[@chadHK]

This is such a well put-together lecture and superbly presented - I would imagine Mr. Bird would be a popular lecturer as he is engaging, articulate, and insightful. I am going to seek out Horizons after watching this, and would like to know if the 2011 tome by Donald Albrecht is a worthwhile investment also.

[@HistoryofID]

Glad you enjoyed it! Norman Bel Geddes Designs America is a beautiful book. It was produced to accompany an exhibition, and Albrecht edited the essays, all contributed by different authors. As a result, the essays are all good but there isn't one clear through-narrative, each takes on a different theme. It was made with the archives at the Ransom Center, so lots of beautiful images. Amazingly, there are now something like 5 books about Bel Geddes and I still don't think there is a satisfactory, comprehensive go-to!

[@chadHK]

@@HistoryofID It is through the Harry Ransom Centre that I discovered Bel Geddes, thanks to his set design for The Sorrows Of Satan film,.

[@FirstWorlder]

What a great job you did with this. Thank you.

[@kaihsiangyang1758]

thanks so much about lecture!

[@thahousewife]

that ship looks awesome

[@barbaraalexandraszerlip1594]

If you want the full, fascinating, complex story of Bel Geddes, pick up a copy of the newly published The Man Who Designed the Future: Norman Bel Geddes and the Invention of 20th Century America (Melville House, NY/London, 2017).

[@TheIslaLora]

thank you, really interesting!

[@ShowandTellknitting]

At 4:58 did you mean Franklin Simon (a posh emporium where I loved to shop in the 70s), not Simmon's (the bed people)?

[@HistoryofID]

BOTH! Window display at 4:56 is Franklin Simon, beds at 4:49 are Simmons! It's a win win, a yes AND.....

[@buddyanddaisy123]

Very interesting..has his cocktail set ever been revived? love that design.

[@andrasnagy2806]

thank you!

[@pistolannie6500]

@38:56...the Concept car..... actually was produced (in a way)... a toned down form of it... inside redesigned. (would have to go look it up to find what year, & WHO did them). There were something like only 5? made. It was called The Scarab. The Imperial Chrysler.... the top car has what was referred to as... the "Waterfall Grill". if.. I recall right.... it wasn't a huge success on any make or model of car. And the turn table garage... did EVENTUALLY, YEARS LATER, appear. I can't help but wonder, What would He have thought about the " ELEVATOR " Garages put in some new HIGH END apartment bldgs.?

[@rollozucco209]

don't underestimate Buckminster Fuller or Ludwig Mies von der Rohe.

[@coffeymeister17]

Any idea who he designed the armless lounge chairs for?

[@HistoryofID]

You caught one of my long-term mysteries! When I recorded this there wasn't much in print about Bel Geddes that he hadn't written himself (so VERY biased and only including "fancy" projects). There have since been a seemingly endless number of books published. And each has disappointed me by ALSO focusing on those same projects. Lots of dealers credit this chair as his. I don't trust most of them. But Wright (Chicago) also does, and I trust them. No one shows the underside of the chair, and no one lists the maker. So I have a hunch: Bel Geddes designed the Copa City night club in Miami Beach in 1948. I am guessing this was produced in some limited number at that time, but not as part of any furniture manufacturer's line. But I can't guarantee or prove that. The evidence is hiding at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin where the complete Bel Geddes archive lives. Maybe someday someone will produce a book of the boring every-day objects his office produced... Sorry for the long answer but you asked. And I have spent a bunch of time also wondering......

[@coffeymeister17]

@@HistoryofID Don't apologize! I love anything Bel Geddes. I wanted to know the maker because I have a hard time searching for the chair. It's hard to narrow it down. But I agree with you, I believe he went Solo and manufactured them himself. Thank you for the delightful response and I will put it on my bucket list to visit the Center in Austin. Thanks again!

[@spambenden]

thanky ferry much for this verry inspiring presentation. Im now for sure a fan of norman bel geddes

[@nordfaen]

Thank YOU very much 😁