In honor of the Pioneers of American Industrial Design the United States Postal Service issued 12 stamps.
German Peter Müller-Munk, born in Berlin in 1904, is among them. He is best known for his 1935 design of a chrome-plated brass pitcher called “Normandie”. It resembles the silhouette of the French ocean liner’s prow. The pitcher was made by Revere Copper and Brass, Inc, and was produced until 1941.
In Berlin he studied design with Bruno Paul and silversmithing with Waldenar Ramischin. In 1926 the designer moved to New York. After designing for a year for Tiffany, he set up his own workshop. He exhibited at several Metropolitan Museum shows in 1929 and 1930.
In 1959 he won one of the first ALCOA industrial design awards. He consulted with US Steel regarding their newly-introduced vinyl-coated steel sheets, with decorative patterns embossed into the vinyl. They be formed, drawn or stamped like any sheet steel.
In 1964, Peter Müller-Munk consulted with US Steel regarding their Unisphere symbol that dominated the 1964 World’s Fair, and still remains in Flushing Meadows.
He died in 1967 in Pittburgh, Pennsylvania, his company Peter Müller-Munk Associates (PMMA) continues as an active design firm. It is well-known for way-finding design at major airports and public spaces.
