Title
Automobile Sketch, Black Sedan
Preview
Accession Number
2010.031.001.3
Creation Date
1947
Description
Richard Howard Stout (1920-1996) received a degree in Physics from Williams College and afterwards took a course in the Harley Earl Corporation Detroit Institute of Automotive Styling. Harley Earl was the General Motors Head of Design 1925-1958. The advertisements for the course exclaimed, "This course is scientifically tested. It explains the techniques in creating tomorrow's cars for one of the big three."
Stout soon began his career in 1947 at General Motors as a designer and from 1950-1966 he worked for Lincoln-Mercury, Studebaker-Packard, and Edsel as a product planner. He is known for his work in the General Motors 'body interchangeability program', in which basic car bodies were utilized in various models. This study was documented in his article, 'Body Politics: An Explanation of General Motors 1950-1953 B and C interchangeability program by one of the designers who helped make it work' published in 1977. He was a noted consultant on automotive history and in 1988 published the book 'Make 'em Shout Hooray!' which details his career in the industry.
These sketches were created during his early styling course period in 1946-1947. They are reflective of the streamlined automotive body concepts designed by Harley Earl. The accentuated white highlights emphasize an interest in aerodynamics through the use of curvilinear glass, the voluminous car body, and highly polished chrome.
Automotive Sketch, Grey Sedan, Richard Howard Stout 2010.031.001.3
