Norman Bel Geddes

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Norman Bel Geddes (April 27, 1893 – May 8, 1958) was an American theatrical and industrial designer who focused on aerodynamics.

Born in Adrian, Michigan, he began his career in 1918 as the scene designer for the Metropolitan Opera. In 1929, he designed "Airliner Number 4," a 9-deck amphibian airliner that incorporated areas for deck-games, an orchestra, a gymnasium, a solarium, and two airplane hangars.

Bel Geddes designed the General Motors Pavilion, known as Futurama, for the 1939 New York World's Fair.

His autobiography, Miracle in the Evening, was published posthumously in 1960.

He was the father of actress Barbara Bel Geddes.

"Norman," written by Gerry Beckley of the band America and performed by Jeff Larson on his 2002 album Fragile Sunrise, is a homage to Bel Geddes.

[edit] External links

• Documentation of "Highways and Horizons"
• IDSA-Los Angeles, More about Norman Bel Geddes
• A Fine Road Not Taken (provides details of Airliner Number 4)
• Norman Bel Geddes Collection at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin