Mechanical Brides: Women and Machines from Home to Office - Softcover

Lupton, Ellen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1878271970 ISBN 13: 9781878271976

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, 1997

Synopsis

During the 20th century, the marketing of domestic appliances and office machines has been directed primarily toward women. Mechanical Brides examines this phenomenon through extensive graphics (advertisements, catalog pages, photographs) and analytical text.

About this title

Review:

In such works as Simians, Cyborgs and Women, feminist and historian of science Donna Harraway claims that technology will cause us to become less and less distinct from our mechanical tools. In Mechanical Brides, Ellen Lupton shows to what extent this has already come to pass. However, it's not technology that allowed this to happen, but rather design and advertising. Through images of women using telephones, irons, washing machines, typewriters, and other "feminine" appliances, Lupton traces a visual history of the interaction between women and machines. This book contains a rare combination: beautiful design and thoughtful text.

About the Author:

Ellen Lupton is one of America's preeminent design educators. Her books include Skin , Inside Design Now , and Mixing Messages , among others. She is currently director of the design program at Maryland Institute of Art and Design.

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1878271970
• ISBN 13: 9781878271976
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64