Publisher's Synopsis
This is the ultimate style guide to 20th century dining and
social history in the West, as reflected in popular recipes and types
of foods, what people used in the way of cutlery, tableware, and table
settings, and trends relating to styles of dining (picnics,
smorgasbords, etc.). The book is divided into decades -
each decade is represented by a separate chapter. The text describes
particular political and social events of each decade that influenced
thefood and dining styles popular in that period. These cover
glassware, cutlery, crockery, and to some extent furniture and
textiles. There is information about which companies and designers were
in vogue, and interesting magazine and newspaper advertisements from
the time also feature.
The result is a book which works on two levels - firstly as a glossy historical overview of the time, and secondly as a reference book to design icons of the period.
It provides a fascinating and unique angle on social history, combined
with a slice of 'retro' nostalgia, and will be an inspirational and
informative guide for social historians, students and collectors.
International in scope, this book will be a visual delight for anyone
interested in western design in general.
