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Space Age Design
Midcentury Futuristic Atomic Googie Jet Age
Gadgets
While midcentury space age design started with roadside architecture and sci-fi publications, it soon spread to all aspects of everyday life. Gadgets are smaller items, often appliances, found around the house and sometimes commercially. They all perform a function. Like many other categories, most gadgets from the 1954-1964 time period, were not futuristic in design. In fact probably les than 2% were. But a good sized collection can be obtained by those that are.
These two Lady Schick electric razors were extremely space age including starbursts. The boxes they came in were also in that theme. The red was for legs and green for under arms. The cord is in the black base. Original sticker price on the red is $14.95, alot for back then.
This Comet sleg probably predates the Space Age, dating to the late 1940s or early 1950s. No markings other than Comet. Measures 62" long.
Very interesting Space Age item. This is Remco's Caravelle introduced in 1962. It was an AM radio, had a morse code oscillator, and could be used by kids to broadcast within a 500 foot radius. Remco of Newark NJ was known for its toys. This item is 22" wide.
"The local rock group down the street
Is trying hard to learn their song
They serenade the weekend squire
Who just came out to mow his lawn
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care"
From Pleasant Valley Sunday by The Monkees, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Lawn-Boy Model 4200 gas lawn mower. This one dates to the mid-1950s. With the explosion of suburbia in the 1950s, the sound of lawn mowers suddenly became common.
The electric guitars of the 1950s and 1960s looked much different than the accoustic ones they replaced, in part because they were often used for a new type of music, Rock N Roll. The 1964 Fender Mustang on the left in particular had an aggressive futuristic styling. The hollow body Imperial Guitar on the right dates to the mid-1960s and was made in Japan. Electric guitars of this period are highly collected by today's musicians.
Jukeboxes were introduced in the 1920s and had their heydey in the 1940s - mid 1960s. Styling was always cutting edge and during the Space Age, often futuristic. This is a Wurlitzer wall or table top unit from the early 1960s.
Most lamps and lighting of the Space Age did not have futuristic styling. One type that did is the Sputnik lamp, one variety of which is shown in the center. The Russians launched the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. Immediately thereafter, numerous consumer products were made that had the Sputnik look. The two tier shade did not start out with the lamp, but was very common in the 1950s. Sometimes they were even three tiers. The zig zag lamp is unmarked.
Holy electrocution! This is a Jacuzzi Model J300-B Whirlpool unit meant to be dropped into a tub.
This ashtray stand is 24" tall to the top of the handle. Pre-Surgeon General's warning, these were ubiquitous and often very stylish. Has a push button ash drop.
Econolite Fire Alarm box. Despite the name it was not light or economical. This heavy 15" in diameter sphere looked like a space helmet. It appears to only have one function. The flap opened to reveal one button.
Kenmore 4 level. heater. This is an early Kenmore piece, which was a Sears brand, made by others. Very angular.
These are two ultraviolet ray lamps. The Sperti Sun Valley on the left had a ten minute timer. Made by Sperti Sunlamp a division of Cooper Hewitt Electric of Erlanger, KY. The Sunkraft lamp on the right recommended goggles and had a 6 minute timer. Original cost was $64.50. The lamp is on a arm that swings out.
The Electro Sink Center by Electro Way Corp of Los Angeles, was one of the most over the top kitchen gadgets of the Space Age. More specifically, it was over the top of the sink. This product sold in 1963. It came with an electronic faucet, cup warmer on the top left and mixer on the top right. There were two temperature dials. Would have originally come with a glass mixing bowl and ice cream maker. Original cost was $399, a fortune in 1963.
Two hassock fans. The plastic one on left is by W.W. Welch of Cincinnatti. It had only one speed. The steel one on the right is by Lakewood Enginnering of Chicago. It had three speeds.
The Satellite II Camera by Imperial was similar to the Kodak Brownie ofthe era.
Nestle Hot Chocolate warmer with original pitcher. This item was found in diners, restaurants and coffee shops. Is that Frosty?
Normandie beauty salon hair dryer with adjustable neck. By Acme Engineers of Minneapolis.
West Bend Coffee Dispenser & Warmer with Monroe Shock Absorber advertising. 13 3/4" tall. Made in West Bend, WI.
Slingerland Snare Drum. Slingerland based in Chicago was primarily a percussion company starting in 1927. Owned by Gibson today. Known for the Jazz musicians who played it.
Dremel Shoe Polisher by Dremel based in Racine, WI. A favorite of shoeshine boys everywhere.
Two good examples of midcentury futuristic patterns from a ceiling light shade and two small tables. Some of the forms used were atomic, starbursts, amoebas and boomerangs. The first three reflected on the progress in energy and medicine oftheage. But they were also often whimsical and fun.
Remington Roll-A-Matic Men's Electric Razor. Remington was a pioneer in electric razors, introducing its first in 1937. The company dates to 1816 when it made firearms.
Electrolux vacuum. Electrolux is a Swedish company that was extremely successful in America in the Space Age selling vacuums. The company name changed to Electrolux in 1957 providing some dating. Note the rubber bumper going around the middle.
Star Manufacturing Model 177 Popcorn Machine with a Helmco-Lacy insert canister. This commercial popcorn machine measures 11 x 11 x 9".
Bulova alarm clock. Adjustable side to side and up and down. Bulova was a Swiss company.
Halliburton aluminum carrying case with lucite handle, 12" wide. This piece exhibits the emergence of two exciting new materials, aluminum and lucite.
Technicolor Super Eight Color Video Camera. Has a zoom lens and measures 8" long. Made in Japan.
Airequipt Mfg. Co. 12x Slide Viewer, 6" long. Airequipt was from New Rochelle, NY.
Alaskan cooler by Alaskan Container Co. of Chicago, 15" tall with styrofoam interior. Barbecue scene.
Texaco Alarm Clock manufactured by Columbia Time Products of Lasalle, IL.
Lampette Model E4 desk lamp made in Japan and dated 1964. Looks like out of a Scifi novel.
Diax Model 7100 desk lamp with 25 watt bulb. Looks like its in a wind tunnel.
BGM 1765968 model sputnik weather station, West Germany. Thermometer, barometer and hygrometer. Out of this world!
General Electric alarm clock & AM radio, made in Hong Kong, 5 3/8" tall.
Zenza Bronica World Clock Table Globe Lighter. Made in Japan. Looks like a rocket blasting off your desk.
Swingline Model 333 stapler.
Mueller Heating and air conditioning units ad from the April, 1954 Better Homes magazine.
Two more rockets, both mechanical banks. Put the coin on a spring, press the button, and it flies right in the bank. The idea is to make saving fun for kids. Both made of pot metal. The one on the left is by Vacumet of St. Clair, it is 11" tall. The other one is called Strato Bank and was made by Duro Mold and Mfg. of Detroit.
Vornado Airconditioner ad in the April, 1954 Better Homes magazine. Vornado was resurrected in 1989 and still makes air conditioners.
A page of hanging lighting, including saucers and a sputnik light. From the 1959 Montgomery Ward January-July catalog.
Eljer bathroom fixtures ad from the October, 1955 Better Homes magazine. The Space Age did make it to the bathroom.
Hoover vacuum ad in the June, 1955 Better Homes magazine. Cleaning was now a ball.
GE Aeromatic fan. Still going strong over 50 years later.