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Atomic Age Design: Still Blasting its Way into Homes Today
Mid-century design channeled the fear of the Cold War into iconic and desirable objects for the home
The mid-20th century is recognised as a truly innovative design period, and its legacy continues today with timeless pieces adorning homes around the world. Distinctive strains of design produced during this era go by a variety of names: Biomorphic, Organic, Modernism, Mid-century, Googie, and Atomic Age.
Atomic Age refers to furnishings that are designed to capture the iconography of the atom and the atomic bomb. Throughout the late-1940s to 1960s, millions of Americans moved to the suburbs, became homeowners, and indulged in mass consumerism as they furnished their new homes with an abundance of goods and objects. While they sought privacy and security in their homes, they were also deeply aware of the threat of nuclear attack and radiation due to the Cold War. Thus, mid-century designers used imagery of the atom and atomic bomb for colourful and sculptural domestic objects as a way of dealing with the anxiety and fear of an atomic attack.
Here are a selection of those iconic objects, as well as some new objects that play upon the vocabulary of Atomic Age design.
Atomic Age refers to furnishings that are designed to capture the iconography of the atom and the atomic bomb. Throughout the late-1940s to 1960s, millions of Americans moved to the suburbs, became homeowners, and indulged in mass consumerism as they furnished their new homes with an abundance of goods and objects. While they sought privacy and security in their homes, they were also deeply aware of the threat of nuclear attack and radiation due to the Cold War. Thus, mid-century designers used imagery of the atom and atomic bomb for colourful and sculptural domestic objects as a way of dealing with the anxiety and fear of an atomic attack.
Here are a selection of those iconic objects, as well as some new objects that play upon the vocabulary of Atomic Age design.
Charles and Ray Eames, Small Dot Pattern, 1947
Atomic Age design played on both the destroying atom, as in Nelson’s pendant lamp, as well as the peaceful atom, as a representation of the scientific and technological revolution.
This fabric designed by husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames for a competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, uses the productive, rather than destructive, atom. The graphic and geometric pattern recalls an atom’s molecular structure. Maharam reintroduced the fabric in 2000, during a period in which Mid-century design received more and more attention, soaring in popularity.
Atomic Age design played on both the destroying atom, as in Nelson’s pendant lamp, as well as the peaceful atom, as a representation of the scientific and technological revolution.
This fabric designed by husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames for a competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, uses the productive, rather than destructive, atom. The graphic and geometric pattern recalls an atom’s molecular structure. Maharam reintroduced the fabric in 2000, during a period in which Mid-century design received more and more attention, soaring in popularity.
Irving Harper and George Nelson, Ball Clock, 1949
George Nelson Associates designed more than 150 clocks for the Howard Miller Clock Company. The Ball Clock was the first, and originals and replicas of the clock are available today in bright colours, monotones, and natural wood. And, like the Eames’ Small Dot Pattern, its form recalls the diagram of an atom.
George Nelson Associates designed more than 150 clocks for the Howard Miller Clock Company. The Ball Clock was the first, and originals and replicas of the clock are available today in bright colours, monotones, and natural wood. And, like the Eames’ Small Dot Pattern, its form recalls the diagram of an atom.
Charles and Ray Eames, Hang-It-All, 1952-53
The Eames’ Hang-It-All is equally as recognisable as the Ball Clock. A fun and inventive rack to hang coats, scarves, hats and bags, the Hang-It-All also uses the molecular model.
In the mid-1940s, Charles and Ray Eames began designing toys and furniture for children. They originally made the Hang-It-All with brightly coloured wooden balls to encourage children to hang up all their things. Herman Miller reissued the Hang-It-All in 1994, available in multi-colours, single colours, and natural wood.
The Eames’ Hang-It-All is equally as recognisable as the Ball Clock. A fun and inventive rack to hang coats, scarves, hats and bags, the Hang-It-All also uses the molecular model.
In the mid-1940s, Charles and Ray Eames began designing toys and furniture for children. They originally made the Hang-It-All with brightly coloured wooden balls to encourage children to hang up all their things. Herman Miller reissued the Hang-It-All in 1994, available in multi-colours, single colours, and natural wood.
This retro light fixture also takes its form from the atom, with six lights extending from a central point.
George Nelson and Irving Harper, Marshmallow Sofa, 1956
This eye-catching sofa takes its name from marshmallows, which were a new mass-packaged food in the 1950s. The repetition of the round cushions plays on the form of marshmallows, as well as the molecular structure; thus bringing atomic imagery into the home in a fun and playful way.
This eye-catching sofa takes its name from marshmallows, which were a new mass-packaged food in the 1950s. The repetition of the round cushions plays on the form of marshmallows, as well as the molecular structure; thus bringing atomic imagery into the home in a fun and playful way.
Hoop chairs or circle chairs came in a range of forms, colours, and materials in the mid-1950s and 60s, regaining popularity in recent years.
It is almost symbolic of a leisured lifestyle in the backyard or on the porch or patio, as the person seated comes to sit at what could be perceived as the centre of the atom.
It is almost symbolic of a leisured lifestyle in the backyard or on the porch or patio, as the person seated comes to sit at what could be perceived as the centre of the atom.
Irving Harper and George Nelson, Sunburst Clock, 1952-3
The sunburst clock injected 1950s homes with whimsical design, turning an everyday object into wall sculpture. Colour and design was key in the mid-century, as being able to have objects in a range of colours and designs was perceived as a testament to American prosperity and democracy. Originals, replicas, and re-editions are still available today.
The sunburst clock injected 1950s homes with whimsical design, turning an everyday object into wall sculpture. Colour and design was key in the mid-century, as being able to have objects in a range of colours and designs was perceived as a testament to American prosperity and democracy. Originals, replicas, and re-editions are still available today.
Orbit Chandellier, Z Gallerie
With anxiety around the relationship between the USA and USSR, and the fear of the atomic bomb, also came the space race – the competition between the Cold War rivals to reach the unknown frontier first. This competition also influenced the design of objects during the atomic age; similar to this Sputnik-inspired chandelier.
With anxiety around the relationship between the USA and USSR, and the fear of the atomic bomb, also came the space race – the competition between the Cold War rivals to reach the unknown frontier first. This competition also influenced the design of objects during the atomic age; similar to this Sputnik-inspired chandelier.
In a new take on Atomic Age design, this stunning backsplash is made from flat and bubbled hexagons. The outline of each tile is reminiscent of the molecular model, while the three-dimensional rounds recall the spheres of the Ball Clock and Hang-It-All.
YOUR SAY
Do you have Atomic Age objects around your house? Share your favourites with us in the comments section.
MORE
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YOUR SAY
Do you have Atomic Age objects around your house? Share your favourites with us in the comments section.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern Kitchens: 12 Key Design Elements
Inspiring Mid-Century Australian Homes: 6 of the Best
My Houzz: Mid-Century Apartment in Brisbane Admires the View
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George Nelson, director of Herman Miller in the post-war era, designed the Bubble Lamp Pendant in 1947. Its simple, sculptural shape is reminiscent of the mushroom-shaped cloud emitted from an exploding A-bomb; a fearful image that became pervasive after Hiroshima in 1945.
Its form is also similar to a UFO or flying saucer as the new age of technology – spurred by homegrown science and technology, and the competition between the USA and USSR – brought an increasing interest in space.