Mechanical Brides: Women and Machines from Home to Office

During the 20th century, the marketing of domestic appliances and office machines has been directed primarily toward women. IMechanical Brides/I examines this phenomenon through extensive graphics (advertisements, catalog pages, photographs) and analytical text.

In such works as iSimians, Cyborgs and Women/i, feminist and historian of science Donna Harraway claims that technology will cause us to become less and less distinct from our mechanical tools. In iMechanical Brides,/i Ellen Lupton shows to what extent this has already come to pass. However, it's not technology that allowed this to happen, but rather design and advertising. Through images of women using telephones, irons, washing machines, typewriters, and other "feminine" appliances, Lupton traces a visual history of the interaction between women and machines. This book contains a rare combination: beautiful design and thoughtful text.