Horizons
- Boston: Little, Brown & Co, 1932
Boston: Little, Brown & Co, 1932. First Edition. Quarto. 26.5cm. Publisher's black and silver cloth. Lacking Dustjacket. [xix]; 293pp. Some darkening of the spine, some light rubbing and scuffing of the corners, and a little soiling to the pale cloth in places; internally clean and fresh, black page edges, old ownership stamp to front flyleaf. A very good, solid copy, with a little wear, and without its jacket.
The 1930's design equivalent of H.G. Wells' "The Shape of Things To Come", in which Bel Geddes extrapolates into the future to predict upcoming improvements and developments in the fields of architecture, industry, and engineering. One of his most impressive, and indeed notorious, designs in "Horizons" is that of "Air Liner No. 4"; a "V" winged monoplane flying boat roughly the size of Hawaii, projected to carry over 600 passengers with full cabin accomodation in the lap of luxury. Sadly Bel Geddes' aeronautical attempt to make Howard Hughes look small-minded and unambitious never came to fruition, although in other areas, most notably factory design and suburban infrastructure, he was impressively prescient. A beautifully designed and copiously illustrated book, regardless.
The 1930's design equivalent of H.G. Wells' "The Shape of Things To Come", in which Bel Geddes extrapolates into the future to predict upcoming improvements and developments in the fields of architecture, industry, and engineering. One of his most impressive, and indeed notorious, designs in "Horizons" is that of "Air Liner No. 4"; a "V" winged monoplane flying boat roughly the size of Hawaii, projected to carry over 600 passengers with full cabin accomodation in the lap of luxury. Sadly Bel Geddes' aeronautical attempt to make Howard Hughes look small-minded and unambitious never came to fruition, although in other areas, most notably factory design and suburban infrastructure, he was impressively prescient. A beautifully designed and copiously illustrated book, regardless.