“As an American citizen who still loves his native country, France, it is heartwarming to see that this country appreciates the beauty and taste that all Frenchmen prize.” Raymond Loewy (1893-1986)
What are the classic designs that define America? If you compiled a list, it may include:
- The large American refrigerator, as popularised by the sturdy, aluminium shelved Sears Coldspot in the 1930s.
- Iconic American motor vehicles, including the sleek Greyhound Bus, the influential S-1 locomotive, or the āfirst American sports carā: the Studebaker Starliner Coupe.
- The slenderized Coca-Cola bottle, or a coke soda fountain.
- The logos of large oil corporations that power the country, such as Shell, Exxon or BP.
- Something presidential, such as the livery of Air Force One.
- Something from the space race, such as NASAās Skylab space station.
If you havenāt guessed by now, Raymond Loewy had a hand in the design of all of the above. He was born in Paris in 1893, and is undoubtedly one of the greatest industrial designers of all time.