Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Vintage Thingies Thursday - 1943 Cookbook & Kitchen of Tomorrow


This week I am showing two things from 1943: The Joy of Cooking (1943 edition) and a postcard of the "Kitchen of Tomorrow."

My cookbook has the blue plaid cover like the one my mother had. I don't know whether my mother had the 1943 or 1946 edition. Both the 1943 and 1946 editions have blue covers. The two editions are apparently very similar except for the material at the end. My 1943 edition is the wartime edition and has sections on "Sugarless and Sugar-saving Recipes for Cakes, Cookies and Desserts" and "Meat Stretching. Meat Substitutes and Supplementary Dishes."

The "Kitchen of Tomorrow" shown on this postcard was designed by Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company "to demonstrate how glass can add to the convenience and livability of homes of the future." The postcard doesn't really show how very unusual this kitchen really is. I looked at some old magazine articles in the library to find more information and pictures (Life, August 9, 1943; Better Homes & Gardens, July, 1943).

Everything is built-in under or behind glass. The refrigerator is in the divider between the kitchen and dining area and can be opened from either side. The sink has no faucet handles, which the designer considered a hazard to dishes. The water was controlled by foot pedals. A built-in vegetable drawer rolls food forward when opened.

The picture below is from the Better Homes and Gardens article and is described as follows:

Today's hodgepodge of equipment gives way to continuous counter with everything built in, handier to use and quick to wipe clean. At extreme left is the oven; next, opened up, the cooking unit; next, closed into the counter so you don't see it, the mixer and juicer; then storage bins, pretty girl at sink, and more storage bins rounding the corner to the refrigerator with china cabinet above.


click picture to enlarge it




Vintage Thingies Thursdays

29 comments:

  1. I love old cookbooks, but I hate to cook! Those postcards sure are interesting--I would like to have everything behind glass, so I wouldn't have to dust everything! Sure am glad the water by foot pedal thing didn't catch on, because I'd be one thirsty girl!

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  2. I am with Carol. I have many old cookbooks, but never use them as I do not cook much anymore.

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  3. What a very interesting "kitchen of tomorrow"! Wonder when tomorrow will get here?

    I would also be interested in reading some of the sugarless or reduced-sugar recipes. We are trying to cut back on sugar here, but without artificial sweeteners. It's not easy!

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  4. oh how cool! I only ever use old cookbooks as they have the best recipes and illustrations in them.

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  5. This was really interesting. I noticed the coverings on the chairs right away...very retro. I love the glass in the kitchens, and how cool would it be to have a sink like that.

    I have not seen the blue cookbook like yours, I think that is a interesting book, may have to keep looking for one like that.

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  6. I remember 50's and 60's pictures of "The Kitchen of Tomorrow." There's also such an exhibit in the Smithsonian. They all look so not-futuristic now.

    Fun stuff.

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  7. Cool Cookbook, I haven't seen the blue cover either. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Very interesting kitchen...almost looks clinical!
    Is the VTT button at the end of you post new, did you make it, and do you share? I like its size.

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  9. One of my favorite things to collect is cookbooks...and how I would love to find one like yours. Specially the earlier version..I would love to read through it. Happy VTT and hope your weekend is a lovely one.

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  10. I like to buy and read cookbooks but seldom attempt to try the recipes...
    nice post, but The last picture cannot be enlarged, too bad.
    anyway ,have a good day.

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  11. Love cookbooks and if they are vintage, even better. You have some great postcards. Thanks for sharing them.

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  12. I love old cookbooks too..any old books for that matter lol!! Wow that postcard is fab too :)

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  13. Great post! I love old advertisements!

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  14. happy VTT.. I love old books and been collecting a few.. but hardly try the recipes.. hehehehe collect them for the sake of beautiful pictures and covers.. heheheh

    have a great day!

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  15. cool card! :) and I love posh kitchen too even though I dont like to cook :P

    hey have you had a look at my Postcard Scavenger Hunt post of May (Fish)?? am not sure if Mr Linky did notify you:)

    Postcard Scavenger Hunt: Drying fish! .

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  16. what a treasure!!!!

    i collect old books and would looooove to own that book! let me know if you ever lose your mind and decide you may want to sell it :)

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  17. That kitchen is really neat! Except I'm not sure I'd want to be cleaning kitchen grease off all those windows!
    Thanks for sharing. :)

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  18. That is pretty cool...we are cleaning out my Grandmother's house, and she has boxes of cookbooks, old and new...I have been trying to keep them ALL..LOL
    but there is no way. :-(

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  19. The kitchen reminded me of a Doris Day movie that featured a kitchen of the future except I remember a little robot would come out of a cabinet to clean up spills.
    I love old cookbooks too.

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  20. I love old cookbooks! Thanks for sharing that interesting information on vintage kitchens. All that glass is beautiful; I just wouldn't want to clean it. Hee, hee! Please visit and browse for a while; if you like what you see, click the "Follow" button so that we can inspire one another often!

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  21. Oh thanks so much for those pictures of the kitchen of the future! Not exactly where things went, is it? but I have to say I would not want a glass front refrigerator..have to clean it every day!

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  22. I would be so embarrassed to have a glass front fridge, stuff gets scary in there *L*

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  23. my mom had cook book just like that
    as far as fridg...lol i will take a frosted glass front lol

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  24. i agree with mub and others - scary looking things in my fridge some times. And everyone would see my wine in a box. :-)

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  25. Great items. Even older than I am. I was born in 1946. What a fun post. I am also participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday. xo Joan

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  26. My Mom gave me the 1965 addition of this cookbook when I got married. I loved it and used it for anything that took place in the kitchen. I still have it.
    Yours is in very good condition.

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  27. I love the cookbook and what a great kitchen - reminds of a display I viewed at Disneyland's Futureworld Exposition years ago! ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  28. Great classic cookbook. The kitchen of tomorrow photos are really eye
    opening.... lots of glass to clean!
    Interesting what people thought the
    future would look like!

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  29. Lucky girl! I collect old cookbooks and would be thrilled to have this in my collection :). Thank you for stopping by my blog :D!

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