Industrial design—the practice of optimizing the function, value, and appearance of products—is a central component in America’s culture of consumerism as well as the source of many beautiful objects now in the collections of leading art and history museums. It has influenced the public sphere as well as the private economy, doing much to change the look and feel of the human-built world. The first generation of industrial designers, working in the 1920s, upgraded the visual attractiveness of mass-produced merchandise with the intention of stimulating consumption. In the following decades, industrial design became a professional field that penetrated all aspects of modern material life. The purview of industrial designers expanded from products, packaging, and advertising to corporate logos and trademarks. Hagley’s collections document many aspects of industrial design. The papers of influential designers form a principal resource, as do the business records of major American corporations and corollary materials in our pictorial holdings. Our collections include material artifacts that are themselves examples of industrial design.
Hagley’s collections document many aspects of industrial design. The papers of influential designers form a principal resource, as do the business records of major American corporations and corollary materials in our pictorial holdings. Our collections include material artifacts that are themselves examples of industrial design.
The Hagley Center for the History of Business, Technology and Society awards travel grants for visiting scholars. Some housing is available on the property. The Center also organizes conferences, research seminars, and academic programs. For more information, email clockman@Hagley.org.