Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era and Its Impact on People's Life

As a young child, my grandmother’s china cabinet was enchanting. When the sun streamed through the cabinet at the perfect angle, pink patterns created by glass dishes were splayed on the green shag carpet. Of course, I was not interested in the glassware that produced the light display, I was just intrigued by the display itself. As I grew, my grandmother explained these two pale pink glassware sets were known as Depression Glass. Like many other women, my great grandmother collected the sets piece by piece, and they became her pride and joy. Although they may not be made of high quality glass, these cups, plates, and bowls are priceless family heirlooms that remind us that beauty can be found in the bleakest of times, even during the

The 1920s is notorious for being a good time, with its reputation of being full of fun parties and extravagant living. Those wealthy enough were able to enjoy that along with all the other changes in American culture. In the 1920s the use of installment buying, credit, and stock market investments became a typical part of life. Technology that improved home life, like vacuums and radio, were desired, and these shifts in culture added to the stigma that good times would continue forever. The American people were not aware that common habits in the 1920s would lead to the Great Depression in the 1930s, during which unemployment reached over 25%, the economy struggled, and the fun times ended. The Great Depression was caused by experts that encouraged

The poem “The Nevada Glassworks” tells about a mother growing in the 50s and a glassworking company making glass in Nevada. The 50s were post-World War II and were better known as the start of the nuclear age. It is during this time that the narrator’s mother is in her teen years and is growing up. Along with her we find that this glasswork company is also growing and is making great progress on the research they are conducting.

The 1920s was a decade filled with prosperity, chaos, and excitement. During the 1920s, many ground breaking inventions were introduced, such as the Model T Ford, the radio, and the television. The discoveries and cultural developments of the 1920s would go on to shape America for decades to come. The 1920s was arguably one of the most important decades in American history, in regards to the impact it had on American culture and way of life. Such an important decade should have a nickname, thus the 1920s were called the “Roaring 20s.” The decade of the 1920s is referred to as “roaring” because it was a time of dramatic social change, as demonstrated by the birth of a consumer society, the rise of a party culture, and the abandonment of long standing morals.

America finally had the war behind it. The country was booming and the majority had a carefree attitude. People were accustom to their lives and were not prepared for what was about to happen in 1929. The new decade would be a time of great change for everyone – art included. The 1920’s would bring a rollercoaster of events to America.

In the 1940’s many changes were occurring culturally in the United States, many due to the war that was being fought. In this essay, many of these cultural innovations will be discussed and assessed. As will the events that caused such changes and evolutions in the American culture.

On any given evening during the quintessential 1950s, shakers and movers of a very unsquare world could be found gathered at cocktail parties in sleek suburbia homes, ultra swank bachelor's pads, or mirrored lounge/living combos in "Anywhere, USA". While the libations flowed, those edgy revelers were trying out their well rehearsed and choreographed, goo goo eyed social moves on one another, intent on making an impression. Other party goers were working the room, culling for a new client or perhaps clinching a huge business deal the company execs had awaited for months.

“American corporate designers were learned in Modernist theory, but nevertheless found bulbous aerodynamic bodyshells an appropriately slick garb for wares of a vigorous, efficient society with an aggressive faith in its future. Flashy exaggeration at the hands of the stylists, ever compelled to ‘improve’ on last year’s model, gave streamlining a bad name.” (Hodges, Coad, Stone, Sparke, Aldersey-Williams, The New Design Source Book, 1992, p.158) Discuss in relationship to the ‘innovation’ in household designs of the 1950’s, how do these designs compare to similar examples of today? Do designers today feel “compelled to improve on last years model?

The Roaring Twenties brought many cultural changes to the United States and Europe, which have had many lasting effects. The roles of women changed tremendously and alcohol became banned, but people found many loopholes, also many new inventions and ways of life came about.

The Wall Street crash brought in its wake the financial depression of 1929. In England, the increase in taxation and the pressure on sterling inevitably lead to the deterioration of the economic situation. The effect was comprehensive, and as the number of American visitors arriving in England decreased, and likewise did the orders for the Vyses’ figurative ware, and their income from the studio pottery shrank significantly. Additionally, they began to devote more of their time to the research of ash-glazes and perfecting the firing techniques required for this type of ware. Their aim now was to garner a reputation for excellence for their high-fired-stoneware, while, fulfilling the demands for figures and pots

In the 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, many new household appliances came out to American consumers. One of them was the electric powered washing machine that clean clothes in an efficient and easy way. This product, the Thor, was a drum like washer with a tub and a electric motor and was created by Alva J. Fisher in 1908 (Bellis). Also,a vacuum cleaner is an electric tool used to suction up dust and small objects on floors. This tool was created by Hubert Cecil Booth and David T. Kenney in 1901 by using air for the separation of dirt (Green). Another appliance, the electric refrigerator, is a tool that keeps your food and drinks cold and fresh. The refrigerator was invented by Fred W. Wolf in 1913 and was a icebox with a refrigeration unit connected to the top (Chapman). All of these appliances made the twenties roar because it made labor easier around the household.

In the 1920’s overproduction, under consumption, and high tariffs helped contribute to the Great Depression. One of the many items that were being over produced

The 1920s was a period of consumerism, where frugality with money was less of a concern. American consumers bought many different items- such as radios, electronic appliances, washing machines, telephones, plumbing and bathtubs, trendy clothing, cosmetics, books, magazines, and on fine dining-. There is no doubt that these items were more efficient for the average person, but there is doubt about whether or not it was a necessity. The perks of having these items are that daily tasks are more of a breeze than before and of course the convenience. For example, people could do wash their clothes at a much faster rate, could communicate without leaving the comfort of their own home, and not cook.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American artist, and designer, was born in New York City in 1843. Tiffany, the son of Charles, who was the founder of the jewelry firm “Tiffany and Co.,” began his career as a painter and then expanded to design and direct his studios in order to “produce lead-glass windows, mosaics, lighting, glass, pottery, metalwork, enamels, glass, pottery, jewelry, and interiors” (“Louis Comfort Tiffany Stained Glass Art”; Frelinghuysen and Obniski). Beginning in the late 1870’s the decorative arts and interiors caught Tiffany’s eyes and he began exploring and trialing with stained glass (Frelinghuysen and Obniski). As years passed he introduced blown-glass vases and bowls called “Favrile.” The

Art Nouveau, 1890-1914, explores a new style in the visual arts and architecture that developed in Europe and North America at the end of the nineteenth century. The exhibition is divided into three sections: the first focuses on the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where Art Nouveau was established as the first new decorative style of the twentieth century; the second examines the sources that influenced the style; and the third looks at its development and fruition in major cities in Europe and North