During the Depression years, American tableware manufacturers commissioned industrial designers to create affordable products of modern sleek style and new materials such as Bakelite, Formica, and chromium-plated metals. The Chase Brass and Copper Company commissioned Russel Wright and Walter von Nessen to create objects in chromium-plated metal and machine-age aesthetics to replace silver. The Fostoria Glass Company hired George Sakier to create modern glassware, which was affordable in the 30s, and is now sought-after by collectors. |