Schreckengost believed that mass produced products could be of high quality if they were well designed. He applied this principle to everything from bicycles to bowls.
Viktor Schrekengost 1906-2008
With the death of Viktor Schreckengost on January 26th, 2008, America may well have lost its last Industrial Design Giant. Along with the likes of Walter Teague, Raymond Lowey, and Norman Bel Geddes,Schreckengost created quality designs for almost evey facet of modern life. From the first cab-over engine truck, which he designed for White Motor Company, to Murray Bicycles and Pedal Cars for Sears, his designs were fresh, innovative, accessible, and top quality.
Cleveland Institute of Art to Vienna
Schreckengost attended the Cleveland Institue of Art and after that, the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Upon his return to Cleveland in 1930, he began teaching part time at his alma mater, and did so up until his death last week during a visit with relatives in Tallahasse, Florida.
The Jazz Bowl and other Things
He may be most famous for a large punch bowl decorated with Jazz and Art Deco motifs that he created for an unknown client who turned out to be Eleanor Roosevelt, but it has been said that every adult in America may have used his products which include, stoves, refrigerators, machine tools, flashlights, theater costumes, broadcast equipment, artificial limbs, stage sets, dinnerware, street light, coffins, electric fans, calendars, and ball gowns.
Schreckengost received the National Medal of Arts in 2006, which was presented to him by President George W. Bush.
The Columbus Dispatch January 29th 2008, Cleveland.com
