Raymond Loewy, one of the pioneers of modern industrial design, refined the look of everything, from logos to locomotives. For many years, he served as the principal designer for the Studebaker Corp., and in 1961 the company called upon him to design a new automobile to save the company. Below is one of several sketches sent from Loewy's Paris office to help in the effort, which resulted in the Avanti, a rare instance in which the merits of a product caused it to survive the failure of the company that produced it.
The permanent exhibition, made possible by a grant of $1.1 million from the Xerox Foundation, will be the centerpiece of a yearlong celebration marking the official reopen-ing of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building during its 100th anniversary year. The Jefferson Building has been undergoing renovation since 1984 and will be seen in its fully restored state for the first time when it reopens on May 1.
Due to the high number of visitors expected, same-day, timed-entry tickets will be available free beginning May 1. The tickets may be obtained from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Visitors' Information Desk inside the ground-floor entrance of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street S.E. The exhibition is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. It is located in the Southwest Gallery and Pavilion, on the mezzanine level of the Jefferson Building. The exhibition is made possible by a grant from the Xerox Foundation.
Advance tickets for the exhibition may be obtained only from Ticketmaster. At Ticketmaster outlets, including Hecht's department stores in the Washington-Baltimore area, tickets have been available since April 14 for a $2 service charge. Ticketmaster phone charge tickets are $2.75 plus a $1.25 handling fee per order. To charge tickets by phone, call (202) 432-SEAT in Washington, D.C.; (410) 481-SEAT in Baltimore; and (703) 573-SEAT in Virginia. Out of state callers may dial (800) 551-SEAT toll-free.
For those who cannot come to Washington, selected items from the exhibition can be viewed online at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/.
All groups of 10 or more are requested to call the Visitor Services Office at (202) 707-2630 to arrange a tour. For recorded information about the exhibition, call (202) 707-3834.
Free tours are available of the 100-year-old Thomas Jefferson Building, which also opens to the public on May 1 in its fully restored state after 12 years of renovation. The Italian Renaissance-style Jefferson Building was called "the most beautiful public building in America" when it opened in 1897.
No tickets are required for building tours, which begin at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Visitors' Information Desk. The exhibition and areas of the building are barrier free and accessible to the disabled.