102 years ago— 1918 — What important things were happening then?
Of course, what gets highlighted about 1918 was the continuing carnage of World War One; and the beginning of the “Spanish Flu”—whose first wave was commencing to kill multi-thousands (and, ultimately, millions by the time it ended two years later.)
But what about October, 1918 in particular? — And did any positive things happen that month?
Yes, a few:
T.E. Lawrence— “Lawrence of Arabia” —leads a stunning military victory in Damascus.
Stonehenge, which had been in private hands, is donated to the people of Britain. Thus, this site of world-class significance becomes officially part of the nation’s treasury of historical monuments.
Germany agreed to key concessions, which led to the final armistice in the following month—and ultimately the end of World War One.
A new world typing speed record is achieved. That may not be significant in itself, but that such a contest was held is an indication of the increasing importance of machinery in office operations.
ANSI - the American National Standards Institute - was formed. This too might seem like an esoteric event—but the application of rigorously arrived-at standards, to a large field of products, manufacturing, cleanliness, and with consequences for safety, greatly contributed to the quality of life.
But the event that we are most focused upon is the birth of architect Paul Rudolph, who was born on October 23, 1918.
By-the-way: 1918 is notable for another event: the first recorded use of the term “formwork”—the kind used in concrete construction. Since Paul Rudolph is so closely associated with the powerful use of concrete in architecture, for him to have shared a year with that word is most fitting!
RUDOLPH THROUGH THE YEARS: A VISUAL CELEBRATION
Since it is Paul Rudolph’s birthday—and he had a full life that was endlessly creative and prolific—we thought you might enjoy seeing views from different points in his personal and professional growth. Here is a small photo album, concisely showing snapshots from some important stages in his life.
Paul Rudolph (left) with family, visiting Florida Southern College—a design by Frank Lloyd Wright (whom he profoundly admired.)
Rudolph, a US Navy officer during World War II, was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, working on ship construction and repair.
Rudolph (front right) with some fellow students in the architecture program at Harvard, where he studied with Walter Gropius.
On the raised platform of his Sanderling Beach Club in Florida—a project that extended his oeuvre beyond residential design.
Within his Yale Art & Architecture Building (now Rudolph Hall), shown against the centrally located—and luminous—drafting space.
In front of his Married Students Housing at Yale. University buildings would form a significant part of Rudolph’s oeuvre.
Increasing national and international fame. A detail from the cover of Progressive Architecture: a collage of the Yale A&A building and Rudolph.
Rudolph on the construction site for his New Haven Temple Street Garage—as he moved into the design of large civic structures.
Rudolph’s architectural office in New York, a multi-level, light-filled space, in which his design models and drawings were on display.
Famed for his architectural drawings, especially dramatic architectural perspectives—a large volume is published on his masterful graphics.
Rudolph (right) at the ground-breaking for Burroughs Wellcome, standing next to Nobel Prize winner George Hitchings.
At his NYC “Quadruplex” penthouse home—continually at work on design, architecture, and the challenges of modern urbanism.
LEARNING MORE ABOUT RUDOLPH’S LIFE & CAREER
Paul Rudolph had an active life, and his prolific career spanned a dynamic half-a-century—during which he was designing architecture & interiors, planning at an urban scale, teaching, thinking, writing, and inspiring others. You can read a fine, concise biography of Rudolph here, and also read this full-length, scholarly study—and further books on fascinating aspects of his work can be obtained through the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation here.
KEEPING UP WITH PAUL RUDOLPH
Rudolph is always in the news: previously “undiscovered” projects come to light, new books and articles come out, we are continually fighting preservations battles to preserve his legacy, and beautiful homes he designed come on the market.
We can keep you up-to-date with bulletins about the latest Rudolph-ian developments. TO GET UPDATES: please join our foundation’s mailing list—and there’s a free sign-up at the bottom of this page.
PHOTO CREDITS:
First row, left: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; First row, middle: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; First row, right: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Second row, left: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Second row, middle: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Second row, right: Photo by Judith York Newman, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Third row, left: Courtesy of US Modernist Library; Third row, middle: Photo by Judith York Newman, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Third row, right: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Fourth row, left: from the library of the The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation; Fourth row, middle: news photo, source unknown: Fourth row, right: © The Estate of Paul Rudolph, The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation