"20th Century Limited"

Manufacturer Buffalo China (Buffalo, New York) American

1938

Not on view

As a pioneering industrial designer in America, Henry Dreyfuss created a number of consumer products that were nearly ubiquitous in American homes: telephones, vacuum cleaners, and cameras were among his most successful designs. In the 1930s, railroad companies competed for passengers by upgrading their services. Dreyfuss designed every aspect of New York Central's luxury long-distance train, the 20th Century Limited, the name embodying its advanced technology and modernity. In addition to redesigning aspects of the train's exterior to give it a sleeker, more streamlined appearance, Dreyfuss attended to every detail of the interior, making it more efficient and comfortable. The result was a complete corporate branding, as well as a much improved train design. These dinner plates and letterhead, in coordinated shades of buff and taupe, project a unified vision of simple, elegant modernity, appropriate to a luxury train like the 20th Century Limited.

Artwork Details

Title: "20th Century Limited"
Designer: Henry Dreyfuss (American, New York 1904–1972 South Pasedena, California)
Manufacturer: Buffalo China (Buffalo, New York) (American)
Date: 1938
Medium: Earthenware
Dimensions: 1 1/8 × 10 5/8 in., 1.8 lb. (2.9 × 27 cm, 0.8 kg)
Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
Credit Line: John C. Waddell Collection, Gift of John C. Waddell, 2002
Object Number: 2002.585.2
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Henry Dreyfuss

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Slotted Spoon, Henry Dreyfuss American, Metal, painted wood — Slotted Spoon
Henry Dreyfuss
The Washburn Company (Worcester, Massachusetts)
1934

"20th Century Limited" Flatware, Henry Dreyfuss American, Silverplate, steel — "20th Century Limited" Flatware
Henry Dreyfuss
International Silver Company, Meriden, Connecticut
1938

Tray, Henry Dreyfuss American, Enamel and aluminum — Tray
Henry Dreyfuss
The American Thermos Bottle Company (Norwich, Connecticut)
1935

Potato Masher, Henry Dreyfuss American, Metal, painted wood — Potato Masher
Henry Dreyfuss
The Washburn Company (Worcester, Massachusetts)
1934

Thermos carafe, Henry Dreyfuss American, Enamel, aluminum, cork — Thermos carafe
Henry Dreyfuss
The American Thermos Bottle Company (Norwich, Connecticut)
1935

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