Googie facts for kids
Googie is a cool and futuristic style of architecture and art that became popular in the United States during the middle of the 20th century. You might also hear it called Doo Wop, Atomic Age, or Populuxe. This unique style looked very modern and often reminded people of spaceships or the future. It started in California right after World War II and quickly spread across the United States in the 1950s. Many buildings like coffee shops, bowling alleys, and motels were built in the Googie style.
Contents
What is Googie Architecture?
Googie architecture is known for its bold and eye-catching designs. Imagine buildings that look like they're ready for space travel! This style often used bright colors, sharp angles, and shapes that seemed to zoom or explode. It was a way to show excitement about the future and new technologies after the war.
Key Features of Googie Buildings
Googie buildings are easy to spot because of their special features. They often have:
- Roofs that slant upwards or have unusual shapes.
- Lots of glass and neon lights.
- Big, flashy signs that grab your attention.
- Shapes like boomerangs, flying saucers, or atoms.
- Materials like steel, neon, and plastic.
These features made buildings stand out, especially along busy roads and highways.
Where Googie Architecture Began
The Googie style first appeared in Southern California. After World War II, people were excited about new inventions and a brighter future. This feeling led to new ways of designing buildings, especially for places where people went for fun, like drive-in restaurants and motels. The style quickly became popular across the country.
Famous Googie Landmarks
Many well-known places were built in the Googie style. These buildings became symbols of their time and are still recognized today.
Iconic Googie Structures
Some of the most famous examples of Googie architecture include:
- The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, which looks like a flying saucer on a tall stand.
- Parts of Los Angeles International Airport, especially the Theme Building, which looks like a giant spider or a spaceship.
- The first Tomorrowland at Disneyland, which was designed to feel like a futuristic world.
- The very first McDonald's restaurants, with their famous golden arches.
- Many of the early casinos and hotels in Las Vegas, which used bright lights and bold designs to attract visitors.
These buildings helped define the look of the 1950s and 1960s in America.
Images for kids
-
Norms Restaurants location on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles
-
Googie-style car wash
-
Classic Googie sign at Warren, Ohio drive-in
-
Patio tables at the Bob's Big Boy restaurant in Burbank, California
-
Johnie's Coffee Shop on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, designed by Armet & Davis
-
The Caribbean Motel in Wildwood, New Jersey's Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District
-
Johnie's Broiler after its demolition on January 7, 2007. Many Googie structures have fallen into disrepair or been destroyed (this one was rebuilt incorporating the surviving architectural elements).
See also
In Spanish: Googie para niños
