Auto Opium: A Social History of American Automobile Design

by David Gartman

This much needed book is the first to provide a comprehensive history of the profession and aesthetics of American automobile design. The author reveals how the appearance of the automobile was shaped by the social conflicts arising from America's mass production system. He connects the social struggles of American society with the organizational struggles of designers to create symbol-laden substitutes for the American dream. Theoretically sophisticated, lucid and compelling, Auto-Opium will appeal to all interested in the American obsession with the car.

Genres: Nonfiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 1994

About the author

http://www.southalabama.edu/syansw/dg...

Reviews

[Meen · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Gartman is the theory professor in our department at the University of South Alabama, and he's a brilliant man. I adore social theory, and I was one of "Gartman's Groupies" b/c I took every single theory class (FIVE of them!) he taught.

This book is an astute application of Marxist/Bourdieuian theory to the automobile (and cultural) production process in this country, but Dr. Gartman's writing is very personable and accessible. I think he's now working on making the same kind of theoretical application to architecture.

[Wayne Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and used Gartman's book for research on automobile dashboard design ( See The Dashboard Book). It is packed with excruciating detail on the history of auto design and the marketing of the American automobile. Gartman makes a good argument that we Americans were duped into buying cars for their glitter rather than their substance. It is well researched and worthy of a read by anyone interested in the history of American auto industry.