Norman Bel Geddes

American theatrical designer

Also known as: Norman Melancton Geddes

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History

Norman Bel Geddes (born April 27, 1893, Adrian, Michigan, U.S.—died May 8, 1958, New York, New York) was an American theatrical designer whose clean, functional decors contributed substantially to the trend away from naturalism in 20th-century stage design. As an important industrial designer, he helped popularize “streamlining” as a distinct modern style. Following brief study at the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, Geddes became interested in the theatre and staged...

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