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This is a special issue of PART. It consists of four feature articles, one practice article and four reviews. The feature and practice articles are from "Technology and the Home" sessions I have chaired for the Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association during the past three years. As these essays demonstrate there are numerous approaches to this theme. For example, Mimi Sherman considers the development of the Argand gas-lamp and the general benefits of artificial lighting. Mary Ann Buschka discusses Lillian Gilbreth's efforts toward making the home-maker's day more pleasant. Derham Groves explores the unexpected ways that television influenced clothing design in Australia. Peter Schneider provides an in-depth analysis of Douglas Darden's Oxygen House. My own article re-examines Buckminster Fuller's relationship to the architecture of the 1920s. Therefore, the first two sections of this issue offer diverse studies of the ways technology and living environments intersect. In addition to these essays, there are three exhibition reviews and one book review. Ioanna Theocharopoulou analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Eleni Bastéa's The Creation Of Modern Athens: Planning The Myth which is about the relationship of architecture and image in 19th century Athens. Ellen Hymowitz describes the rocky landscapes of "Ruskin's England, Ruskin's Italy" that were shown at the Morgan Library. Janna Eggebeen assesses the ambitious but problematic exhibition of women designers shown at the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts. Finally, Emily Pugh addresses the exhibition of chairs from the Vitra Design Museum and the survey of Alexander Girard's work at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. The reviews, like the essays, present a variety of approaches to a variety of subjects. I would like to thank all the contributors for helping bring this project to fruition. In addition, I want to thank Caterina Pierre, the general editor, and Emily Pugh, the webmaster, for their assistance, support and patience. I hope that you enjoy this edition of PART.
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