After World War I and the sharp Recession of 1921-22, an exhausted America recharged and catapulted into the roaring twenties. From hemlines to home products, a great cultural divide occurred. The buying public was ready for new concepts and artistic revolutions.

Inspired by relaxed cultural mores, an expanding economy (at least for a time) and radically different technologies, from instant media - radio, movies, TV - to ever faster transportation - automobiles, airplanes, boats, trains, rockets - the time was right for the birth of modern industrial design.

Paralleling thought leaders in the fine arts and architecture, bravura industrial designers stepped forth to revolutionize man-made objects of all sorts for a burgeoning American mass consumer culture.

In the US, the Big Four led the way.  Join architect and art commentator Joseph Madda when he delves into the amazing worlds of Walter Dorwin Teague, Norman Bel Geddes, Henry Dreyfuss, and Raymond Loewy, as they move from Art Deco to Streamline Moderne and beyond, including two world’s fairs – Chicago’s Century of Progress, 1933-34 and the New York World’s Fair, 1939.

It was a time that truly embraced our contemporary dictum,
“I feel the need for speed.”

This event is free and open to the public
but limited to only 48 people
and advance registration is required
In order to claim your space please register early at
chicagodeco.org/event-5251520

...and since you'll already be on our website...
Donations are always appreciated to help us further
our continual mission of promoting Art Deco in Chicago

Spaces are limited so register today!

Questions? Please email Kevin Palmer at kpalmer@chicagodeco.org