Walter Dorwin Teague Biographical Documentary

Walter Dorwin Teague (1883 - 1960) is considered one of the founding fathers of industrial design as well as one of the most prolific American industrial designers in history.  He established his design office in the late 1920s, which continues today as one of the important design institutions in the world.  His most notable design work includes Kodak cameras from 1927 to 1957, Texaco’s art deco gas stations in the 1940s, the Boeing Stratocruiser, and the 707 aircraft.

His clients included Ford, Corning Glass, Polaroid, Boeing, Kodak, and Texaco. His legacy led to the design of all subsequent Boeing aircraft including today’s 787 Dreamliner.  He directed the design and architecture of the 1939 World Exposition.

He was also an architect whose work includes the Texaco exhibition hall at the 1935 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas, Texas, the Ford pavilion for the California Pacific International Exposition (1935) in Balboa Park in San Diego, and the 1961 Civil War Centennial Dome in Richmond, Virginia. In 1940 he completed his seminal work about the origins and philosophy of industrial design in the book, Design This Day.

His Story

Teague’s inspirational life is a daring story of the American dream.  His grew up in a tiny farm town in Indiana with an incredible talent for drawing. At 19 he struck out on his own, with $70 in his pocket, to find his dream in New York City.  He studied at art at night and, to earn a living, drew newspaper ads by day.  His career as an illustrator developed, creating advertisements for various clients.

In New York he met his wife and had their first child, W. Dorwin Teague Jr.  He continued his illustration career until he reached 42 years old, when he visited Paris in 1925 to see the Paris International Exposition and the vanguard of art, design and architecture. What he experienced there was so profound, so earth-shaking, that he decided to completely change his work, his career, and start his own industrial design firm.  Thus began the career of one that would help shape a new America and define a modern profession.

No documentary film has ever been produced about Walter Dorwin Teague.   So, we are preparing to create a feature-length biographical documentary about his life and his work.   Every designer that I have proposed the idea to, all enthusiastically stated that it was long overdue.   Some of those who worked with and knew Mr. Teague are still living today, but are in the waning years of their lives.  If these stories are not documented, they may be lost forever. 

Greenlight

I have received the approval and encouragement from Walter D. Teague’s grandson, Harry Teague and his brothers.  I also have the support of the Teague design firm through President and CEO John Barratt and former CEO Del King.  Through this collaboration, the documentary will exhibit archives, drawings, photos, film, and video never before seen by the public.

Value

This project is valuable in its historical documentation of an influential and remarkable person in the design profession.  It could be used in historical, industrial design and architectural curriculum around the world and exhibit the life and work of an important figure in American history.

Distribution Strategy

A feature length documentary film has many avenues for public exhibition.  The first vehicle for distribution being theatrical showings in cinema’s through film festivals around the world.  Another would be select screenings at conferences, corporations, or other interested groups, such as the IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America).

The second being television broadcast, such as PBS, A&E, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel and others.  After pursuing screenings in theaters, DVD’s would be distributed for sales and rental.

We need your help!

If you would like to support this project, we could use your help in a number of ways:

• Teague Designs:  Do you own a Teague designed object?   We would love to borrow it to photograph or you could photograph it yourself.  It must be a high quality studio photo, preferably over 2000 pixels wide, and of multiple views (front and side for example).  We will give you photo credit in the movie if it’s used.  Send to: Jason.morris(at)wwu.edu
• Teague Architecture:  Do you have an Art Deco style Texaco station in your town?   We're looking for high quality photos and addresses of those locations.  You will receive photo credits in the movie if used. Send to: Jason.morris(at)wwu.edu
• Teague Stories: Do you have a story to tell about Teague his life or his designs?  We would like the opportunity to interview you.  We hope to set up a space at the next IDSA International Conference in Portland, OR, August 2010 so that we can interview people while the design community is together.  Or other arrangements can be made.
• Donations:  Making movies do cost money, and although this will be a relatively low-budget independent production, we still need to raise about $50,000 to really do it well.  This would cover a small crew, travel, post-production, and distribution.  If you or your company would like to make a tax-deductable gift you will be acknowledged in the film as important supporters in the credits.  Click here to the Western Foundation Online Pledge Form for an easy way to donate.  Indicate "Industrial Design-Teague Doc" in the gift designation box. All donors will receive a monthly update on the production status and an invitation to a private premiere screening.

Thank you,

Jason A. Morris