History of Industrial Design Week 10 Part 1: Eva Zeisel, Russel Wright, Freda Diamond (and Noguchi)

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...

Links:
Forgot to mention that you should watch this:

[keith]

I fortunately stumbled across your channel. Thank you for producing a captivating, binge-worthy series. You're an excellent host and guide through an introspective tour through the design world.

[Lantertronics]

The story about Isamu Noguchi volunteering to help in an internment camp and then winding up a full-on prisoner there is heart wrenching.

[marilyncummins]

Enjoyed this tremendously! My aunt's every day dishes for her wedding in the early '50s were American Modern, and I have a large collection of place settings and serving pieces, plus the Wright's "Guide..." book, some spun aluminum pieces, and a tablecloth. Also met their daughter at a book signing in NJ many years ago. Best find: the aluminum bun warmer for 25 cents!! at the church thrift shop next to my home in PA.

[alexmckenna]

These videos should be on "Big TV".... really. Eva Zeisel! What a gal !!

[randymerrill]

I strongly agree with the gentleman below (Keith). Thank you.

[Lantertronics]

I'm binge watching this series like it's a new series of Stranger Things.

[Lantertronics]

I love the story about Freda Diamond, Paul Robeson, and Emma Goldman.

[thrillscience]

Who makes your eyeglass frames?


(And that Roll Easy vacuum is beautiful!)

[katrussell]

Thanks. I will know what I found in the thrift shops, now, if I am lucky.

[StreetSong]

Thank you so much for putting these lectures online. I'm not a design student, just a hobbyist woodworker who loves mid century design and stumbled on this channel. I'm now binge watching all of them!

[frances]

OK, I cheated. My 85 yr. old brain couldn't keep up with your words. But I certainly thank you for some beautiful visuals, one being 'Tulip' chair and all Russell Wright NM USA Also, someone said, " there's no such thing as original art". So it's interesting watching these folks evolving from each other.

[hoomalumalu]

there is nothing unprofessional about gossip, it's like adding lace to a plain dress

[TheAshoka]

M. Bird is the best! It's amazingly informative, yet entertains and best artist of presentation... THankyou

[deborahdavis]

So I am on my 2nd time watching your wonderful classes and this time I noticed that I have a Russell Wright Iroquois teapot! It is a repro made by Oneida, but, that design! Probably got at Goodwill...(:

[kebid]

The interview you are looking for is part of the documentary "Throwing Curves" (yes, someone made a film about Eva) Jyll Johnstone, Canobie Films. I recommend it.