ABSTRACT
The ideological continuum of 'good design' and quality of life was the beam upon which post-war rhetoric balanced modern design with the American consumer ethos and lifestyle. This chapter examines the ways in which the exhibition of modern design and furnishings served to convince industry of the importance of 'good design' as an ethical and financial imperative and similarly to demonstrate to the consuming public its inseparability from the American way of life. It explains how and where these messages were delivered and the critical role of cultural and commercial networks in the promotion of modern design and furnishings. Drawing upon popular and industry media, exhibition catalogues and archival material, the chapter explores some of the key design exhibitions from the 1930s through the early 1950s that aided in the reinvention of the American furniture industry and promoted a modern lifestyle predicated upon good design.
