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European appeal
Loewy has also left his mark on the area of store design. One
of his early innovations, the first fully climate-controlled,
windowless department store, was so well received that the Loewy
organization formed a separate division devoted entirely to
store design. Under the leadership of Loewy's partner, William
Snaith, the company designed for prestigious clients such as
Saks Fifth Avenue, J. L. Hudson, Macy's, J.C. Penney, Bloomingdale's
and Lord & Taylor.
By the 1970s Loewy's New York office was engaged almost exclusively
in store design. Loewy decided to sell the American company
and to transfer the base of his design activities to Europe,
because he said store design had "never been my particular
field." Retaining the name Raymond Loewy International,
he started a new firm in Friebourg, Switzerland, and accelerated
existing operations in London and Paris. He discovered fertile
ground for his interests, saying in an interview that, "industrial
design in Europe is where it was in the United States 25 years
ago." Loewy's efforts overseas found great success, and
his Raymond Loewy International, now Loewy Group, is the largest
firm of its kind in Europe.
Out of this world
A New York Times Book Review critic once commented, "Mr.
Loewy has indeed changed the shape of the modern world."
However, after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) solicited his skills, he was able to extend his range
of influence even farther.
From 1967 to 1973 Loewy was retained by NASA as a habitability
consultant for the Saturn-Apollo and Skylab projects. They needed
him "to help insure the psycho-physiology safety and comfort
of the astronauts" under the "exotic conditions of
zero-gravity." His innovations, including simulating conditions
of gravity and a porthole for vision contact with earth, made
it possible for three men to inhabit a space capsule for 90
days. George Mueller, NASA's deputy administrator for manned
space flight, wrote in a letter of appreciation: "I do
not believe that it would have been possible for the Skylab
crews to have lived in relative comfort, excellent spirits and
outstanding efficiency had it not been for your creative design,
based on a deep understanding of human needs."
In Mueller's estimation, Loewy's efforts had "provided
the foundation for man's next great step - an expedition to
the planets." Loewy agreed, later citing the work he did
for NASA as his most important and gratifying assignment.
A legacy rivaled by few
In 1975 the Smithsonian Institution opened The Designs of Raymond
Loewy, a four-month exhibit dedicated to "the man who changed
the face of industrial design." Loewy later commented,
"While working closely with the Smithsonian, I was provided
with the opportunity to reassess the past." And what a
past it was. Loewy - businessman, educator, illustrator and
author - had undoubtedly established himself as one of history's
most famous and influential designers.
Loewy and Viola moved to France several years later, where they
enjoyed leisurely travel and a more relaxed lifestyle. On July
14, 1986, after a period of poor health, Raymond Loewy died
in Monte Carlo, Monaco. He was 92 years old.
Loewy's death sparked a worldwide media frenzy over his immeasurable
talent and contributions to industrial design. New York Times
reporter Susan Heller wrote, "One can hardly open a beer
or a soft drink, fix breakfast, board a plane, buy gas, mail
a letter or shop for an appliance without encountering a Loewy
creation."
Proven time and again, Loewy's design principals continue to
be relevant years after their inception. Today, he has rightly
found his place in history as the Father of Industrial Design.
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