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Googie is an under-appreciated, all-American form of architecture.
Like the era it reflected, Googie combined pride in our past, faith in our future and a typically American sense of humor.
Through
the miracle of modern technology, (shown at right), Googie
Architecture Online has been encouraging the preservation and
appreciation of Googie since 1998.
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Why Googie?
People ask why I created a website about Googie? Here are a few of the many reasons:
- I grew up in Southern California, surrounded by Googie, and have always been interested in local history.
- My link to all things "Space Age" was sealed the moment I was born, near a missile test range, during a ground-shaking launch.
- When I got my first pair of glasses as a toddler, the first thing I saw clearly was the inside of a Bob's Big Boy coffee shop. I doubt this really has anything to do anything -- But the subconscious mind is an odd thing...
- I had a unique professional vantage point from which to view the redevelopment of the Anaheim Resort Area. I could say more, but the black helicopters would surely whisk me away in the night.
- I wanted to build a website that gave me an excuse to write and use my camera.
- Googie is an interesting topic that hasn't been done to death.
- I greatly enjoyed Alan Hess' book, Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture.
At this point, Googie Architecture Online has taken on a life of it's own. It seems I'm constantly meeting fascinating people and learning new things as a result of maintaining this site. It's been quite a ride so far, and I look forward to seeing where the road goes from here.
Chris Jepsen