Frankfurt Kitchen 1926 - 1930

The Frankfurt Kitchen (1926-30) was not the first fitted kitchen, or even the earliest modernist kitchen, but it was the most successful and influential kitchen of the Weimar interlude, and it still stands as the epitome of "scientific" organization for the domestic workspace.
Following the First World War, an ambitious citywide housing project was initiated in Frankfurt, Germany, by Ernst May, city architect for the Municipal Building Department. He brought into his office a young but experienced Viennese architect, Grete Schütte-Lihotzky (1897-2000). It was a coordinated effort to provide low-income housing for some two million soldiers returning to Germany following the 1918 Armistice, as well as thousands of war widows.
With an overriding motivation to save time and money, the principles of rational organization, standardized building units, and mechanized construction were applied not only to the design of settlements themselves, but also to the design of the Frankfurt Kitchen, versions of which were installed in 10,000 integrated housing units within a four-year period. By analyzing key principles for household design and labor, the advantageous positioning of each kitchen element was carefully articulated, thereby minimizing unnecessary steps as well as providing labor-saving devices and increasing physical comfort.
The kitchen's many innovative features included integrated units, continuous work surfaces, and a worktable for preparing food under a large window adjacent to the sink (both set at a convenient height for use while seated). Other features were storage bins with handles and spouts for pouring dry comestibles, an adjustable ceiling light, a movable stool, a concealed pass-through, drop-down ironing board, and cabinetry painted a deep blue to naturally repel flies.
Schütte-Lihotzky was one of the first female architects in Austria and was active in the anti-Nazi resistance. Born in Vienna, the daughter of a liberal civil servant, she was probably the first female student of the school now known as the University of Applied Arts, Vienna, studying under architect/designer Josef Hoffmann and Oskar Kokoschka. Gustav Klimt wrote her letter of recommendation to the school. She celebrated her one-hundredth birthday in 1997.

1918 (circa) Duffner & Kimberly Stained Glass Lamp

Excerpts from an article appearing in January 2007’s issue of The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles,
"In the Shadow of Tiffany," by Paul Crist:

“The Duffner & Kimberly Co. of New York was one of the few firms that dared to compete directly with Tiffany in the upscale market. To draw a distinction from their more famous competitor, however, they designed their premiere lamps in high period styles, which still held sway in upscale American parlors.
Duffner & Kimberly left us with an impressive legacy, the depth and scope of which we are only just beginning to appreciate. Their best lamps reflect a high level of craftsmanship and a sophisticated eye for design that certainly merits comparison with anything Tiffany was capable of producing. On the other hand, some of their simpler lamps exhibit a remarkable creative flair, and it is apparent that they explored the possibilities of the medium to a greater extent than Tiffany ever attempted.”

THIS beautiful example is currently up for auction on eBay and the price sits at $3,500. There is just over one week left to the bidding.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwh8su

UPDATE: October 7, 2009 Sold for $3,827.00.

Sardonicism

Sardonicism (from Latin: Risus sardonicus, a convulsive laughter) is the expression of derision, cynicism, or skeptical humor variously through comment, gesture, or writing.
The etymology of sardonicism as both a word and concept is uncertain. The Byzantine Greek Suda traces its earliest roots to the notion of grinning (Greek: sairō) in the face of danger, or curling one's lips back at evil. One explanation for a later morph to its more familiar form and connection to laughter (supported by the Oxford English Dictionary) appears to stem from an ancient belief that ingesting the sardonion plant from Sardinia (Greek: Sardō) would result in convulsions resembling laughter and, ultimately, death. Another popular explanation lies in the "Sardiniac" theater tradition popular throughout many regions of the Roman Empire. With its origins on the island of Sardinia , this style is known for its biting, satirical wit, reflecting upon the island's frustration with the constant political upheaval, namely the Roman acquisition of the island following the First Punic War.
The term a "Sardiniac" joke, meaning characterized by black humor, reached the academic mainstream following the publication of Oxford professor Sir Robert Algrave's "Treatise on Literary and Dramatic Tradition in the Roman and Greek Empires" in 1762.
A root form first appears in Homer as the Ancient Greek sardánios, Odysseus, smiling "sardonically" when attacked by one of his wife's erstwhile suitors upon his return to Ithaca.
From the Greek: sardónios evolved the Latin: sardonius, thence the French: sardonique, and ultimately the familiar English adjectival form, sardonic.
Hemlock Water Dropwort:
In 2009 scientists at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy claimed to have identified hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) as the plant responsible for producing the sardonic grin.[10][11] This plant is the most-likely candidate for the "sardonic herb," which was a neurotoxic plant used for the ritual killing of elderly people in pre-Roman Sardinia. When these people were unable to support themselves, they were intoxicated with this herb and then dropped from a high rock or beaten to death.

Packard 1924

Packard’s largest cars appeared in the Single Eight 143 series, which used a brand new chassis of 143-inch wheelbase. Only two 7-passenger Sedans and one Touring Car appeared in the series. Known officially as Body No. 245 the $3,850 Touring Car is shown here with an attractive set of disc wheels.
Upholstery and panels are in red leather, while the top is of a canvas material. Dual sidemounts would have looked great on this model, but in 1924 Packard offered neither the sidemounts or the welled fenders necessary for their installation.
The jump seats, robe rail and courtesy light make this car very attractive. The white wall tires and a rear mounted spare give this car a very long look. Complete with wind wings and a Packard accessory motometer

Elizabeth Area Plan Meetings in Charlotte

The city will hold two meetings September 22, tonight, to discuss the process of the Elizabeth Small Area Plan. Both meetings are at St. John's Baptist Church (corner of 5th and Hawthorne), the first at 4 p.m., the second at 6 p.m.

Says Alan Goodwin of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department:
"The purpose of these identical meetings is to introduce the plan and planning process, solicit Citizen Advisory Group members, and hear stakeholders’ opinions, concerns, and ideas about the study area and plan scope. The same agenda items will be discussed at both meetings."

The Elizabeth Area Plan (EAP) will be a policy document that provides the framework for future growth and development and serves as guidance for elected officials when making land use and zoning decisions. It will provide a vision for what the community wants to be in the future and will identify what public and private investments and strategies should be pursued in order to realize the plan vision.
More specifically, the area plan will:

involve the community through an advisory group process in developing a long-term vision for the physical development of the area;
identify and address physical development issues and opportunities;
identify future land uses in an overall community-wide context;
recommend future transportation and infrastructure improvements;
provide community design policies;
provide direction on the preservation and/or protection of the natural environment;
provide implementation strategies for private and public investment decisions needed to realize the plan vision.
The Elizabeth Area Plan will update the 1985 Elizabeth Small Area Plan and the broader adopted land use plan now in place for the area (1993 Central District Plan). It will also build upon some of the concepts presented in the Seventh Street Developer Response (May 2008).

For more information regarding the Elizabeth Area Plan, please contact:
Alan Goodwin
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department
600 East Fourth Street (8th Floor)
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
704-432-3418

ALSO

If you have a minute, please fill out this survey regarding the Elizabeth Small Area Plan before tomorrow's meetings:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2fSFJjc9YeLvqT8UVDqU3sw_3d_3d
It's 10 questions about our neighborhood, and it will take you about 5-10 minutes to complete.

1906 Nellis & 1910 Rumenapp Light-bulb Patent Covers

These are two of my earliest light bulbs in patent cover-sheet format. The light from the bulbs is breathtaking...especially the 1906 Nellis brand.

1926 Pontiac Series 6-27

The 1926 Pontiac was the result of General Motors Chairman Alfred P. Sloan's marketing strategy of an automobile for "every purse and purpose" in which he created a distinct hierarchy from Chevrolet to the Cadillac. Oakland was charged with producing the new car because the market for expensive 6 cylinder cars had been "soft" for several years and Sloan believed that Oakland dealers would benefit from increased show room traffic with the offering of a lower-priced 6 cylinder model. The only failure of Sloan's plan was that the Pontiac didn't prevent Oakland from going under; the company officially became Pontiac in June 1932.

A Note From Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory

Today I received this e-mail note about my concerns regarding the construction of the parking deck by CPCC:

"Thanks for letting me know your concerns regarding the flooding of Independence Park. Although the City has no involvement with the CPCC parking deck or Independence Park, I will ask our City Storm Water staff to review your information and work with the County and CPCC to determine how to avoid future flooding.

Thanks for the note.

Mayor Pat"

I CERTAINLY hope that this does SOMETHING positive and shows how things need to be addressed dealing with drainage, rain repairs and the area's natural tendency to wetness and ponding. Much of this needed to be done long ago and not put off as it seems. Things will only be better if this situation is dealt with and not ignored.

Handel Lamp Company History

Philip Handel joined in partnership with Adolph Eydam in 1885 to form the “Eydam and Handel Company” in Meriden, Connecticut. When this partnership dissolved in 1892, the remaining company was relocated to larger facilities and was thereafter known as “Philip J. Handel” and then as “Handel and Company”. ”The Handel Company” originally incorporated on June 11, 1903 with Philip J. Handel, Albert Parlow, and Antone Teich as the primary officers. Philip J. Handel married his second wife, Fannie Hirschfield Handel, in 1906, and she became company President upon Philip Handel’s death in 1914. She would remarry (Fannie Handel Turner) in 1918 and managerial control of the company soon passed to William F. Handel, Philip’s cousin. The immediate post World War I period was one of tremendous growth and profitability for The Handel Company. However, the economic slowdown of the late 1920’s and resulting Great Depression had a devastating effect on company fortunes. By 1929, most production had ceased, and manufacturing ended all together in 1936. In Handel's hayday , they produced many types of high quality lamps which are in high demand.

1926--2010 calendar

This will be my master reference for next year's 2010 calendar that I will make and prepare for my loyal readers. I will design an all new yet historically accurate 1926 calendar...ALL the same days as 2010 !

1906 Edison Phonograph "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine"

1919 Ford Model T in Sepia & Color

1929 Flapper by Armstrong

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark 1982

Good Feelings For the Coming Season

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'
'It was great, Dad.'
'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.
'Oh yeah,' said the son.
'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father
The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.

"Life is too short and friends are too few."

Stutz Motor Car 1920

Here is a new fast car that has an owner who loves to show the motor. Power comes rarely so high in a car and it is known that a passing Mercer owner might shout out: "You've got to be nuts to own a Stutz" and Reply: "There's nothing worser than a Mercer!"