AMERICAN DESIGNS
Radio
Waffle Iron
Single Slice Automatic Toaster
Midget Radio
Ice Crusher
the names of many of the leading American
industrial designers are known in this country, but
here is work from names which have not hitherto
received as much notice in this country as those of
Teague, Loewy, Bel Geddes.
Barnes Reinecke, Chicago industrial designers,
are responsible for these varied products.
Maximum effect with minimum materialbut the
industrial designer's appeal to American manu
facturers is not wholly that of economy. For these
smooth, uncomplicated shapes catch the eye of the
American buyer, as surely as the efficiently designed
mechanisms prick his imagination. And if, to
European eyes, the ice-crusher is unpleasantly re
miniscent of a bomb, it is consoling to think that it
is doubtless just as effective.
designed for Kadette Radio Corporation, Ann Arbor,
Michigan. Position of cone top speaker allows of
distribution of sound in all directions. Cabinet is
finished in black and presents a finished appearance
from all angles. Construction of cone speaker is pur
posely strong to permit use as a lifting handle. Material
is plastic, allowing a wide variation of colour finishes
designed for McGraw Electric Company (Toastmaster
Products Division). Operation is automatically con
trolled through a thermostat which warns the operator
by means of a lighted plastic reflector. Shell is
chromium-plated, with trim in brown plastic
also designed for McGraw. Redesign lifted sales
figures to a new level. The steel shell is chromium-
plated base and handles are brown plastic. Toasting
of bread is automatic, controlled by a mechanism
which pops toast up, simultaneously turns off current
for Stewart Warner Company of Chicago. This set
was the only radio to win an award in the fourth
annual Modern Plastics competition. Recessed coral
dials are in vivid contrast to the ivory cabinet. The
set fits snugly in a carrying case, complete to the detail
of providing a winding arrangement for the plug-in cord
for Dazey Co. of St. Louis, Missouri. Ice is inserted
at top, adjustment is set for degree of fineness desired,
handle is rotated and crushed ice is passed through
concealed mechanism to plastic cup. Upper portion
is chrome-plated metal, lower part is moulded in
plastic. The device is secured with a wall-bracket
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