Silver To Steel

This groundbreaking book situates Peter Muller-Munk (1904-1967), a German emigre to the U.S., among the most influential designers of his generation. Accompanying an exhibition at Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, this book presents the untold story of a man who rose from anonymity as a young silversmith at Tiffany & Co. to become a crucial postwar designer, promoting the practice of industrial design across the globe through one of the top design consultancies in America: Peter Muller-Munk Associates (PMMA). This generously illustrated book begins with Muller-Munk's remarkable Art Deco silver and provides new context for his best-known and world renowned designs: the streamlined Normandie pitcher and Waring waterfall blender. But the revelation comes in his previously undocumented work: memorable products like cameras, radios, cocktail shakers, power tools, and refrigerators; and total environments for gas stations, international expositions and mass-transit vehicles. Muller-Munk's prestigious clients included Bell & Howell, Westinghouse, U.S. Steel, Texaco and Schick. Following a remarkable career punctuated by numerous accolades, this compelling chronological overview of Muller-Munk's life and impressive legacy is punctuated by colourful case studies of his firm's contributions to wide-ranging aspects of mid-century life. Published in association with Carnegie Museum of Art.