WALTER DORWIN TEAGUE
By Bob Mueller

Mr. Walter Dorwin Teague’s life would run from 1883 through 1960. In his 73 years of life Mr. Teague would leave behind great achievements in the industrial design world, and Steuben Glass would be one of his stops along the way, for the public to admire.

Mr. Teague would design items for many famous companies along the way. Eastman Kodak, Texaco Oil, New Haven Railroad, Ford Motors, 1929 Word’s Fair, and on and on.

In 1928 Mr. Teague would sign his first contract of industrial design with Eastman Kodak. “Baby Brownie Cameras” would follow. In March of 1930 would come a design for Colonel Howard Marmon. The Marmon 16 was of great elegance for that time. Such great beauty and luxury really made this vehicle show its style.

Then in 1932 Mr. Teague would work for Corning Glass Works (“Steuben Glass”). Mr. Teague would have only a 2 year window in which to show the public what he could do for Steuben Glass, as the person intended to replace Mr. Frederick Carder.

With time and styles changing, Mr. Teague needed to come up with styles reflecting the times that had not been used at Steuben Glass.

As Mr. Teague’s new styles started to be developed at Steuben Glass his crisp design in art glass would be noticed. The designs show a marked difference from what his predecessor, Mr. Carder, used over the years.

Mr. Teague would produce sixty three designs in 2 years at Steuben Glass. Stars and constellations, human figures, parachuters, birds plus more designs for the public to admire.

The public will also notice that Mr. Teague would use the sandblasting technique in some of his designs.

Most of the glass items made during this short amount of time would be made of crystal. But, one item that really would be noticed was the cased glass, with Mr. Teague casing in the crystal glass with a Flemish Blue layer.

There was also black over alabaster used during this era, also; today very hard to come by.

During this short stay with Steuben Glass Mr. Teague would receive the award of merit in an exhibition held by the National Alliance of Art & Industry.

After Mr. Teague left Steuben Glass in 1934 he would find his way to Ford Motors, and the 1939 World’s Fair with the responsibility to design the transportation section.

Mr. Teague would keep himself busy the next 20 years with a variety of designs for many different types of industrial companies until his death in 1960.

Since Mr. Teague was only employed at Steuben Glass for 2 years, I feel for this limited time period he accomplished more than critics have given him credit for.

In years to come people will start to realize what he really accomplished while at Steuben Glass and start to enjoy the products of his short era at Steuben Glass.

See the following links for Teague

http://www.kddk.com/alans/scan0002.jpg
http://www.kddk.com/alans/scan0003.jpg
http://www.kddk.com/alans/scan0004.jpg
http://www.kddk.com/alans/scan0001.jpg
http://www.kddk.com/alans/TeagueblackacbVase7518.jpg

BOB MUELLER
Osseo , MN
March 2009