Henry Dreyfuss Directing Design The Industrial Designer and His Work, 1929-72 Henry Dreyfuss (1904-1972) had a profound impact on the daily lives of millions of Americans. Through industrial design, the process we use to shape environments, transportation, products, and packaging, he raised the standards of American industry. A constant focus on the needs of the average consumer characterized his work. Dreyfuss came to prominence in the 1930s from a background in theatrical design. At the New York Society for Ethical Culture's high school, he learned the rudiments of staging theatrical productions as well as dedication to and concern for the welfare of others. He worked as an apprentice to Norman Bel Geddes, a genius of stage and industrial design. In 1927, Dreyfuss set out on his own and within a few years was recognized as a bright young talent in stage design. Referring to himself as an industrial designer, he opened an office in New York in 1928 and soon distinguished himself as a designer for mass production. By favoring practicality over art deco and streamlined styling, he gained the respect of his clients, which lasted for decades. In the 1950s, he brought the use of anthropometrics (the study of human dimensions and capabilities) into his practice, paving the way for others. To put the entirety of Dreyfuss's work on display would be impossible. His firm had hundreds of clients and worked on thousands of items. By focusing on his most enduring client relationships and examining early and late projects for each, this exhibition shows the thoroughness of his approach and the process of industrial design in the profession's formative years. [ Intro | New York Central | Bell Telephone | Deere & Co. | Polaroid | Honeywell | Human Factors ] © Copyright 1997 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Smithsonian Institution