From Atoms to Patterns: Crystal Structure Designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain
- Artist: Various
- Published: 2008
- Publisher: Richard Dennis Publications, Ilminster
- Edition: -
- Format: Paperback
- Height: 33cm
- Pages: 144
- Illustrations: Includes over 140 colour images
£20.00
Add to basketFrom Atoms to Patterns: Crystal Structure Designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain
The intriguing story of the Festival Pattern Group - a unique collaboration between scientists and designers at the Festival of Britain. Conceived by Dr Helen Megaw, a leading Cambridge crystallographer, and spearheaded by the Council of Industrial Design, the Festival Pattern Group co-opted diagrams of atomic structures for patterns on everyday products, including textiles, wallpapers, ceramics and glass. The result was a weird and wonderful collection of furnishings and accessories decorated with scientifically accurate crystal structure designs. Featuring numerous hitherto unpublished images and drawing on extensive new research this book provides a definitive account of the Festival Pattern Group and explores the science behind the designs.
You may also like
Authors Biography
Lesley Jackson is an independent writer and curator specializing in 20th century design. She is the author of many highly-acclaimed books on post-war design, including The New Look: Design in the Fifties (1991), ‘Contemporary’Architecture and Interiors of the 1950s (1994) and The Sixties: Decade of Design Revolution (1998). An expert on modern textiles, her recent books include 20th Century Pattern Design: Textile & Wallpaper Pioneers (2002), From Atoms to Patterns: Crystal Structure Designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain (2007) and Shirley Craven and Hull Traders: Revolutionary Fabrics and Furniture 1957-1980 (2009). In 2001 she curated the major exhibition Robin and Lucienne Day: Pioneers of Contemporary Design, held at the Barbican Art Gallery, London.
