In a series of Bohn illustrations in the 1940s, designer and artist Arthur Radebaugh predicted a fantastic future that somehow never arrived.
Arthur Radebaugh (1906-1974) was an artist, illustrator, and industrial designer whose countless works included commissions for Chrysler and Bendix Corporation. But he is probably best remembered today for the breathtaking series of futuristic illustrations he created for the Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation of Detroit. Appearing as full-page ads in industry and trade journals through the World War II years, the amazing illustrations had a lasting impact on a generation of engineers and designers.
As foreseen by Radebaugh and the Bohn Corporation, cars of the future would make extensive use light metal alloys including aluminum and magnesium. The possibilities for advanced alloys were a recurring theme in the Bohn ad series, but we note that this fabulous bubbletop station wagon still features familiar wood panelling.
With no consumer goods in production during the war, Bohn asked readers to look a few years into the future, for example to this giant airliner powered by six rocket engines. The advanced casting and forging technology for such wonders would be supplied by Bohn, naturally. Popular Bohn retail products before the war included Bohnalite aluminum pistons and cylinder heads for the Ford V8.
Radebaugh’s fantastic inventions for the Bohn illustrations included not just cars, trucks, and planes, but giant airships and ocean liners and even a floating shopping center in the clouds. Still, one of our favorite machines from the series is this lawn mower (above) with wonderful streamline moderne styling details.
Considered an illustrator’s illustrator, Radebaugh (below) was said to be particularly adept with the airbrush. After the Bohn commissions had run their course, in 1958 he launched a successful syndicated comic strip called Closer Than We Think, which predicted technological developments in American daily life. The Sunday color strip ran for five years, reaching some 19 million viewers. The Bohn Corporation went through a series of mergers and acquisitions in the 1960s, and the sprawling Bohn foundry on East Grand Boulevard was demolished in 1981 to help make way for the General Motors Poletown factory.
this is my daily treat – what a great crowd with access to fascinating stuff at Mac’s. Thank you!!
I think I want all those things!
I love the Bohn ads. Not only did they feature striking design, but every one of them was so far of the mark that they are bow funny as well. The future we were presented in the Forties and Fifties was such a great place. I don’t know if it was Dallas or Watergate that crushed this country, but at least I got to experience some of the peak. On the other hand, the factory muscle cars are faster and better than they used to be.
I am uncertain whether my Comment of a few minutes ago successfully made it through the ether so I re-submit. This wonderful series of early 20th Century photos by Mr. Reed, centered around the “Rockville Fair” of the era , beautifully captures the atmosphere of a time long gone. The attire of the participants and the body language reflects another age. Particularly interesting are the new automobile displays under tent and the marvelous images of racing cars in action on the short dirt track. Duesenberg , Marmon , Benz — all members of the pantheon of early racing machines — are captured in their brute glory. Those of us who enjoy owning and working on Auburn , Cord and Duesenberg marques are well aware of the Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation products in the forms of Bohnalite cylinder heads and pistons installed in the various Lycoming power plants of our cars. Thank you Jeanne Gartner for continuing to share these historical treasures with those of us who enjoy the Mac’s Motor City Garage blog.
A delightful mixture of art deco and futuristic design. I love the old hand drawn illustrations, They have so much more warmth to them than today’s computer generated imaging. In the days before widespread use of photography in print, line art and artistic drawings were all that were available at reasonable prices. A much simplier time for sure.