History of Industrial Design Week 2 Part 1: The American System of Manufacturing

These videos were made in 2020 as a desperate COVID-era attempt to help keep students engaged in learning as in-person teaching stopped. With no support, no resources, a ridiculous "production schedule," and no idea they would become a sort of permanent record of the time, I just threw them at YouTube. The students mostly didn't watch them, but lots of others did, and that continues to amaze me. I decided to leave them up for anyone who is just curious about design.

NOTE: If you are a current student at Rhode Island School of Design and your professor has sent you here to watch these videos, you should really worry about how much tuition you are paying just to have a teacher sending you to YouTube instead of teaching you themselves. Just saying...

[virginiacharlotte]

I much prefer watching this to the current load of YT videos that show America burning. I am home decorating at the moment and the Art Deco lectures actually brought me back to the beginning of this series! This stuff is absolutely fascinating. Great history lessons from an inspiring and entertaining lecturer. It all works for someone who does not have a particular interest in industrial design. Thank you, Mr Bird. I love free online lectures! :)

[RobertoPerez-lrhm]

I was looking for "material" on The Shakers and ran into your series of lectures/documentaries. I must express that I haven't made it to that particular video because this one had me hooked and I just had to watch it in its entirety. I want to thank you for sharing these intensely entertaining & informative videos. These history-documentaries are among the best I have ever ENJOYED. You should have your own history channel on TV! I'd probably watch it all the time. Amazing! Thanks again!

[jkknyc]

Since I'm not one of your students, it feels a bit like stealing to take advantage of your knowledge, wit and wonderfully accessible explanations. But I'm very grateful to you for sharing them (and to whichever circuitous YouTube rabbit hole led me here). For the record: you have an excellent speaking voice and presentation style, which are key to the pleasure of these lectures … like your shoes, which never disappoint.

[finolacat]

As usual a wonderful lecture, well balanced, and with a great scope of subject.

[Uncle_Millennial]

Fantastic lecture, Mr. Bird. Thanks for posting!

[MexTexican]

Thank you. You explain things so well. Love your visuals, knowledge and sly humor.

[Lantertronics]

The lengthy list of English expressions involving firearms was quite striking.

[RadioEsiotrot]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! It was always my dream to study this history.

[FranklinArtSite]

I forgot to remark on the comprehensively interesting coverage of furniture design as influenced by design in general. As a furniture maker, I find this to be enlightening and inspiring. Thanks.

[mikem.]

Thank you . This is amazing, information and presentation. So awesome

[FranklinArtSite]

The opening shot of this lecture has an object with three lobes. It looks to be Aztec or the like. Do you know what it is, what it is for, or what it represents? I think a wooden version would make a great turned object.

[keeferhuges]

I would like to challenge (gently) the assertion that most people in early America made the things they owned in their homes.
Knives, stoves, pots, pans, textiles, glass, ploughshares, axes, harrows, harness, horseshoes, etc.  ad
Not really, any more than English villagers did: there were local 'manufactories', local craftsmen, local bakers, local builders, local and now I'm becoming a bore.
Granted, the distances might be greater between producer and user, but anyone so completely isolated from a supplier probably wouldn't thrive?

[faithinverity]

Eli Terry: he ‘wound up’ making…

good one

[johnweir]

You forgot the reference to guns in English: "lock, stock, and barrel." The entire musket.

[keeferhuges]

At 6.30 ish in this Do you actually have a furniture history class? Could you? I would certainly watch that.
k

[sazennonumber]

Love these classes! And I'm not even an Industrial Design student (I'm an artist). Great info and your personality. Thank you for sharing.

[KtSemenko]

Great talented informative well-balanced lecture. It was also helpful to learn about the historical context. Thanks for such a gem channel.

[dendrolagus]

Eli Whitney
John Hall
31:00 Eli Terry clocks

[keeferhuges]

The idea that candle-snuffers were 'utilitarian'?
Since you can blow out a candle and pinch the wick for next-time lighting, these fine, metalwork nonsenses surely must qualify as conspicuous consumption, not as utility.
If their design dead-ended - one should check the dates - it might be only because candles went out of fashion, or utility.
Silliness.
k