Russel Wright Honored as a "Pioneer of American Industrial Design" by the U.S. Postal Service

How does one measure the irony that you are probably reading this piece about a United States Postal Service stamp because you were directed here from an email?

While your minds are boggling, please take note that just last week the USPS issued a collection of stamps honoring "Pioneers of American Industrial Design." Among the twelve honorees is the designer of American Modern® dinnerware, Russel Wright.

Though the image on the stamp is of Wright's flatware and not his pottery, we're still very excited about the recognition of his contributions to American industrial design. The Postal Service describes his work as follows:

Specializing in household products, Russel Wright revolutionized the way we live at home. He designed at a time when growing numbers of Americans were shedding the prim conventions of the early 20th century in favor of simple and informal practicality. During his career, Wright created affordable modern furniture and tableware characterized by minimal but elegant forms. Each stainless-steel piece of Highlight/Pinch flatware (pictured on the stamp) featured an organically shaped handle and no applied ornament. Wright designed the flatware in 1950 to complement his many lines of tableware.

Wright in his New York studio (c. 1944)

The other designers honored on the stamp sheet are Peter Müller-Munk, Frederick Hurten Rhead, Raymond Loewy, Donald Deskey, Walter Dorwin Teague, Henry Dreyfuss, Norman Bel Geddes, Dave Chapman, Greta von Nessen, Eliot Noyes, Gilbert Rohde and Robert Heller.



The collection of stamps is available via the USPS online Postal Store and at your local Post Office.

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Photos courtesy of the United States Postal Service (top & bottom) and Russel Wright Studios (middle)