How did Art Deco use geometric forms to suggest a modern technological age?

Art Deco utilized geometric forms to embody the spirit of the modern technological age by mirroring the aesthetic qualities of machine-made objects. Rather than relying on ornate, traditional flourishes, the style embraced a "streamlined" look characterized by clean, simple shapes, planarity, and symmetry.1

This focus on geometric precision and the unvaried repetition of elements reflected a widespread cultural admiration for the efficiency and modernity of the machine. By incorporating these industrial design principles into decorative art and architecture, Art Deco creators sought to project an image of sophistication and progress. The style further reinforced this technological theme through the use of manufactured materials—such as plastics, chrome, and reinforced concrete—which were often paired with natural substances to create a sleek, anti-traditional elegance. Through these deliberate design choices, Art Deco transformed modernism into a visual language that symbolized the wealth and rapid advancement of the 1920s and 1930s.12