Golden Age of Streamlining

During the interwar years, there was a golden age of industrial design that saw the benefits of streamlining, such as reduced wind resistance, faster transportation, and a more efficient economy. The Art Deco-influenced style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly on railways, where streamlined locomotives and trains were used to break world speed records. The idea of streamlining also applied to aircraft and road vehicles, with designers like Raymond Loewy applying the same style to products for which wind resistance was irrelevant. This book explores the history of the streamline era, its designers, successes, and failures, and its inspiration and legacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Between the two world wars, a remarkable era of industrial design emerged, marked by the realization of the benefits of streamlining. This led to reduced wind resistance, faster transportation, and a more efficient economy. The Art Deco-influenced style, particularly in the glamorous 1920s and 1930s, was not just a matter of aesthetics but also a powerful public relations exercise. Its most striking manifestations were on the railways, where sleek and daring streamlined locomotives adorned prestigious named expresses, particularly in Europe and North America. Iconic examples included the Fliegender Hamburger diesel train in Germany, the American Mercury trains, and Sir Nigel Gresley's A4 Class, which broke the world speed record thanks to its streamlined casing and internal streamlining.

The concept of streamlining gained even greater significance in the air, where massive airships traversed the Atlantic, and aircraft like the Douglas DC3 effortlessly cut through the air. Meanwhile, on the world's roads, buses, and cars underwent a transformation, losing their perpendicular looks and adopting increasingly aerodynamic profiles. Designers like Raymond Loewy, renowned for his streamlined locomotives, began to apply the same style to products that had no wind resistance, such as buildings, refrigerators, and pencil sharpeners.

This book delves into the story of the streamline era, exploring its designers, successes, failures, inspiration, and legacy. It sheds light on the transformative impact of this design movement on transportation, architecture, and everyday objects, leaving a lasting impact on the world of design and technology.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 164 x 232 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445693347