#ArtDeco #Blessed

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, and by 1879 there was a large list of subscribers right here in Dayton! And, yes, I used the word "list."  The first telephone directory here in Dayton consisted of a single sheet of paper with a list of names.  They didn't even have numbers yet, you just dialed the operator and told them to patch you through to your friend.  The telephone changed the way people communicated with each other; communication was faster, more efficient, and definitely more fun!

You may be wondering why the title says "Art Deco" but I am writing about telephones, well wonder no more!  In the 1930s Dayton was a booming city and telephones were all the rage.  The Ohio Bell Telephone Company decided to build a new building in downtown Dayton.  The Documenting the Built Environment class saw this on our tour of the city.  It is a beautiful building built in high style Art Deco architecture.  It was completed in 1931 and is made of limestone, rose granite, and terra cotta tiles. Here is a postcard and photo:

Postcard from a Mayfield photo

It. Is. Gorgeous.

#ArtDeco 

It features detailed tile-work around the top, low-profile eagle sculptures on the corners of the building, and really snazzy aluminum accents around the windows and main door.  The Art Deco style reflected modern technology of the Machine Age and is characterized by streamlined geometric shapes and bold colors and ornamentation.

The lobby of the building also features impressive Art Deco styling and design elements.  Luckily, the building remains unaltered and is still one of the best examples of high style Art Deco. Some other buildings that represent Art Deco are the Chrysler Building in NYC and the Cincinnati Union Terminal. 

Obviously this building is not as large or grand as the Chrysler Building, but it represented the epitome of high style architecture and modernity when it was constructed and illustrates the importance of Dayton during this time period.  Not every city was fortunate enough to have the best architects in the country design and build such an amazing building. #Blessed.

Postcard photo: Dayton Metro Library, Dayton Remembers. http://content.daytonmetrolibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/postcards/id/642