Background
Geddes, Norman Bel was born on April 27, 1893 in Adrian, Michigan, United States. Son of Clifton Terry and Lulu (Yingling) Geddes.
designer author theatrical producer
Geddes, Norman Bel was born on April 27, 1893 in Adrian, Michigan, United States. Son of Clifton Terry and Lulu (Yingling) Geddes.
Student Cleveland School of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago. Master of Arts, University of Michigan, 1937. Doctor of Laws, Adrian College, 1936.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Syracuse University, 1940.
Pioneer in American stage design, 1914, in present day methods of stage lighting, 1916. Designer, director, co-author or producer of more than 200 plays, musicals, operas, motion pictures, and for the circus. Planner or designer numerous theatres in the United States and Europe, including Theatre Guild, Roxy Theatre (New York City), Ukrainian State Opera House (Karov, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics), Copa City (Miami, Florida).
Designer General Motors Corporation building and exhibit, Futurama, New York World’s Fair, 1938, master plan for City of Toledo, 1944, NBC studios, 1955. Associate, architectural commission, Century of Progress Exposition, Chicago, 1938. Industrial designer, since 1927.
Pioneer designer industrial products, including streamlined automobiles, 1928, railways trains, 1931, ocean liner, 1932, airplane interiors, 1933, electric typewriter, 1946. Originator methods and techniques for use by United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, Office of Strategic Services, as techniques for ship identification, aircraft recognition, “natural” camouflag (Corps Engineers,) model construction and photograph (United States Navy), Mark IV submarine trainer, stop motion training films, rubber mat processes, psychological warfare weapons (Office of Strategic Services), method, equipment and building Air Force Strategic Command trainer. Official record Battle of Midway (secretary of defense).
Member Inventors Council. Adviser QMG, United States Army, also Office of War Information. Exhibitor in museums in the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, since 1912.
Represented in collections of museums in the United States, Europe, Asia.
Member Inventors Council. Member National Research Council. Clubs: Players, Coffee House, North American Yacht Racing Union.
Married Helen Belle Sneider, March 9, 1916 (deceased).; married second, Frances Resor Waite, March 3, 1933 (deceased).; married 4th, Edith Luytens, 1953.
Children: Joan, Barbara.