University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections6006Kramer, Gideon A.Gideon A. Kramer
papers 1946-20231954-201215.85 cubic feet (24 boxes and one oversize
folder)Collection materials are in
English.Project-based
papers related to Gideon Kramer, an influential artist, inventor, designer and
businessman in SeattleGideon Kramer was an influential artist, inventor, designer, and
businessman in Seattle from the 1950s to the 1980s. Born in 1917, Kramer
received degrees from a number of prominent design schools, including the
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the Akron Institute, and the
Institute of Design (founded in founded in 1937 by Bauhaus teacher, László
Moholy-Nagy), at Chicago's Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1939, Kramer
and soon-to-be wife, Ruth McLellan came through Seattle on their way to Alaska
and decided to stay.
Kramer's prolific career as one of the greatest industrial designers
of the 20th century included some of the following ventures:
- Created a system to imprint designs on candles (1945)
- Developed the ION chair (1946-1968)
- Designed numerous trucks with Kenworth Motor Company
(1951-1961)
- Designed Federal Way Shopping Center (1950s)
- Designed Foster High School with Ralph Burkard (1950s)
- Designed compact, portable slide projector (1957)
- Designed Jack Sidor home on Mercer Island (1959)
- Designed US Plywood Corp office building (1960)
- Designed streamline hydro-craft cruiser for Hydro-Marine Inc
(1960)
- Project 27 (Seattle Street Beautification project) for the City
of Seattle (1970s)
- Designed Portage Glacier Visitor Center (1978-1981)
- Designed basic concept for Boeing Museum of Flight
- Designed basic concept for Seattle Aquarium (1975-1977)
- Designed Source Projector (first single unit, lap-dissolve
projector)
In additon to his designing career, Kramer was also a professor of
Industrial Design at the University of Washington, as well as a guest lecturer
at the University of Oregon. He wrote essays for the AIA Journal, The Argus,
The Arts, the World Institute Journal of the United Nations, and other
industrial arts and design publications. Gideon Kramer died on March 5,
2012.
- Adapted from History Link
(http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9222)
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 6006-001, Gideon A. Kramer papers, 1946-2011
- Accession No. 6006-002, Gideon Kramer papers, 1949-2023
Accession 6006-001 arranged in 15 series.
- Series 1, Seattle Aquarium Exhibit
- Series 2, Portage Glacier Visitor Center
- Series 3, Kenworth Trucks
- Series 4, Project 27 (Seattle Street Beautification Project)
- Series 5, Source/Kramer Corporation
- Series 6, Projects
- Series 7, Seattle's Pacific Museum of Flight (Boeing Red
Barn)
- Series 8, Norton Building
- Series 9, Center on Contemporary Art (COCA) Exhibit
- Series 10, The Kent Art Commission Gallery Exhibit
- Series 11, Tacoma Art Museum
- Series 12, "Becoming Gideon" Project
- Series 13, Miscellaneous Projects
- Series 14, 2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle Property
- Series 15, Notes, Writings, and Reference Materials by Topic
Contains documents for a number of different projects which Gideon
Kramer worked on:
- Source/Kramer Corporation: Includes correspondence, business
manuals, meeting minutes, notes, legal agreements, patents, strategic plans,
news-clippings, reports, writings, and promotional materials.
- Seattle Aquarium Exhibit: Includes exhibit development
proposals, conceptual drawings and writings, exhibit progress reports,
contracts, pamphlets, correspondence, notes, and research sources.
- Portage Glacier Visitor Center: Includes exhibit proposal,
research sources, notes, conceptual drawings, exhibit development reports,
exhibit index, exhibit specifications, map of Alaska, and correspondence.
- Kenworth Trucking: Includes brochures, correspondence, design
drawings, design evaluation, news-clippings, newsletters, patents, notes, and
original copy of "The Future of Trucking within the Transportation Industry".
- Project 27 (Seattle Street Beautification Project): Includes
final report, correspondence, notes, news-clippings, writings, agendas,
progress reports, memos, pamphlets, and conceptual drawings.
- Seattle's Pacific Museum of Flight (Boeing Red Barn): Basic
concept, resource materials, drawings, guidelines, and history
- Center on Contemporary Art (COCA) Exhibit: Notes,
correspondence, proposal, rough drafts, designs.
- The Kent Art Commission Gallery Exhibit: Ideas, poster,
storyline, visitor comments.
- Tacoma Art Museum Exhibits: Correspondence, plans, designs,
rough drafts of the following exhibits: "Jet Dreams", "True Art", "The ENd",
"Frontiers of NW Design", "Fast Forward: The Shape of NW Design".
- "Becoming Gideon" Project/Book: Marketing and press documents,
notes, and rough drafts.
- Norton Building: Property that Kramer owned with financial
information, sales, leases, correspondence, tenants, Harborview Clinic, and
area development
- 2401 SW 172nd St: Gideon Kramer's
house/apartment/studio.
- Also includes general thoughts, notes, writings, and reference
materials by topic.
- Projects: Various projects Kramer contributed to.
No restrictions on access.
Request at
UW
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington
Libraries Special Collections.
Material Described Separately: Gideon A. Kramer Photograph Collection
Kramer, Gideon A., 1917-2012--ArchivesKramer, Gideon A., 1917-2012--Homes and hauntsKramer, Gideon A., 1917-2012--ExhibitionsSource Kramer Corporation--ArchivesKenworth Truck CompanyMuseum of Flight (Seattle, Wash.)--Buildings--Design and constructionNorton Building (Seattle,Wash.)--Design and constructionIndustrial designers--Washington (State)--Seattle--ArchivesIndustrial design--United StatesArchitecture--Northwest, Pacific--Design and constructionArchitecture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Design and constructionUrban beautification--Washington (State)--SeattleTrucks--Design and constructionPersonal correspondenceBusiness correspondenceNewslettersRecords (Documents)Research (documents)Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)SeattleFine Arts
Accession No. 6006-001: Gideon A. Kramer papers, 1953 - 20118.17 cubic feet (18 document boxes)Scope and Content: Contains documents for a number of different projects which Gideon
Kramer worked on: Source/Kramer Corporation: Includes correspondence, business
manuals, meeting minutes, notes, legal agreements, patents, strategic plans,
news-clippings, reports, writings, and promotional materials. Seattle Aquarium
Exhibit: Includes exhibit development proposals, conceptual drawings and
writings, exhibit progress reports, contracts, pamphlets, correspondence,
notes, and research sources. Portage Glacier Visitor Center: Includes exhibit
proposal, research sources, notes, conceptual drawings, exhibit development
reports, exhibit index, exhibit specifications, map of Alaska, and
correspondence. Kenworth Trucking: Includes brochures, correspondence, design
drawings, design evaluation, news-clippings, newsletters, patents, notes, and
original copy of "The Future of Trucking within the Transportation Industry".
Project 27 (Seattle Street Beautification Project): Includes final report,
correspondence, notes, news-clippings, writings, agendas, progress reports,
memos, pamphlets, and conceptual drawings. Seattle's Pacific Museum of Flight
(Boeing Red Barn): Basic concept, resource materials, drawings, guidelines, and
history Center on Contemporary Art (COCA) Exhibit: Notes, correspondence,
proposal, rough drafts, designs. The Kent Art Commission Gallery Exhibit:
Ideas, poster, storyline, visitor comments. Tacoma Art Museum Exhibits:
Correspondence, plans, designs, rough drafts of the following exhibits: "Jet
Dreams", "True Art", "The ENd", "Frontiers of NW Design", "Fast Forward: The
Shape of NW Design". "Becoming Gideon" Project/Book: Marketing and press
documents, notes, and rough drafts. Norton Building: Property that Kramer owned
with financial information, sales, leases, correspondence, tenants, Harborview
Clinic, and area development 2401 SW 172nd St: Gideon Kramer's
house/apartment/studio. Also includes general thoughts, notes, writings, and
reference materials by topic. Projects: Various projects Kramer contributed
to.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington
Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition Info: Brygida Kramer (Daughter)¶
Series
1Seattle Aquarium Exhibit
16006-001People1976-197916006-001Exhibit Proposal Materials1975-197716006-001Correspondence and Memos197616006-001Contract and Planning Notes197516006-001The Latest Word in Aquarium Words197716006-001Notes and Correspondence1976-197716006-001Designer's Statement 1976-197716006-001Research Sources1975-197616006-001Vancouver Public Aquarium1973-197516006-001Drafts1975-197716006-001Mystic Marine Life Aquarium1975Series
2Portage Glacier Visitor Center
26006-001Exhibit Proposal Materials1978-197926006-001Slides and Notes197926006-001Theme Source Quotes197926006-001Resume and Resignation from Michael
OppenheimerUndated26006-001Research Materials and Notes197826006-001Exhibit Model Drawings197926006-001Exhbit Proposal197926006-001Concept and Exhibit Development1978-197926006-001Exhibit Specifications198126006-001Exhibit Design198126006-001Map of Alaska1973Series
3Kenworth Trucks 36006-001Brochures and Correspondence1957-199936006-001Freeway Train Design Notes196036006-001Design Evaluation195636006-001"The Future of Trucking within the Transportation
Industry" (Originals)196036006-001Articles about Kenworth1953-200036006-001"Uniqueness" (Contains Newsclippings, Drawings, Notes,
and Presentation Papers)1954-196636006-001Basic Truck Dimensions Drawings195736006-001Cab-Beside-Engine (CBE) with rounded
corners195636006-001Conventional Drawings195236006-001International Design Conference1955-195736006-001Patents1954-195836006-001Letters1954-195636006-001Driver Seat Design195836006-001Correspondence with Bob Norrie1956-198336006-001Drawings, Notes, Correspondence, and Check
Stubs1955-201036006-001Gideon's Projects1956-1958Series
4Project 27 (Seattle Street
Beautification Project) 46006-001Final Report (Master Copy)197446006-001Correspondence, Notes, and Newsclippings1972-197546006-001Writings and Correspondence1968-198046006-001Agenda for Seattle197246006-001Shelter Systems Progress Report197446006-001Correspondence and Memos with with Metro Transit
Systems1972-197446006-001Writings and Award1977-201146006-001Pike Street (Correspondence, Pamphlets, Development
Program, and Concept)1974-197646006-001Miscellaneous Project 27Undated46006-001Final report of Mayor's Task force on Planning
Consolidation197446006-001Bureaucracy 1969-198246006-001Pike Street Development Program197646006-001City Exhibit197046006-001Exhibit PlaqueUndated46006-001Binder with Notes, Correspondence, Drawings,
Newsclippings, and pamphlets1956-1988Series
5Source/Kramer Corporation
56006-001Promotional Materials and Newsclippings1982-198456006-001Background Documents1986-201156006-001Correspondence1984-200256006-001Agreement with Kodak1989-199556006-001Business Plans1984-198556006-001Private Placement Memorandum198556006-001Patent Agreement, Meeting Notes, Company
Summary1978-198956006-001Patents1973-198656006-001Agreements1978-198156006-001Strategic Plan198256006-001Legal Correspondence and Reports1982-198656006-001Finances1982-198566006-001People1981-198666006-001Voyager Service ReportsUndated66006-001Xerox1986-198766006-001Voyager Guide BookUndated66006-001Notes, Correspondence, Writings 1981-198366006-001Newsclippings, Meeting Minutes, Correspondence,
Reports, and Writings1981-198466006-001Notes1983-198466006-001Notebooks1983-198466006-001Notes and Reports1984-198776006-001Notes and Reports198776006-001Notes and Correspondence1994-199576006-001Notes198876006-001Notes and Correspondence198976006-001Correspondence and Notes1990-201176006-001Summary and Stock1982-199076006-001Business Overview (formerly in a binder)Undated76006-001Reflections1994-1997Series
6Projects86006-001Pictures194786006-001Correspondence, sketches, notes, finance1946-195586006-001Letters1947-195086006-001Charmwick Candles1955-196786006-001Patents1953-195686006-001Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Temple Doors1961-196286006-001Victor Nelson Furs - Design of Interior and
Exterior1950-195186006-001Turner Brass - Blow Torch Design (winning their design
competition)194086006-001"The Spinach Machine" and generates
electricity197186006-001Mechanical Core - for Living Space/ VAN - Self Powered
(spinach machine)197186006-001Boeing - Proposal for Passenger Seat
Design195786006-001"The Joy of Creating" A group proposal for people who
have been blinded to stimulate the creative spirit in everyone197586006-001Sicks Seattle Brewery (Rainier Brewery) Tap Marker
design195686006-001"Seed" Shelter Designs (for Rich Storeck)195686006-001Jungle Gym Designundated86006-001Makah (Indian) Cultural and Research Center - Exhibit
Proposal197586006-001Broadway Plaza Sculpture Competition197686006-001Seattle Arts Commission "More Streets for People"
Exhibit197586006-001Seattle Arts Commission Arts Competition198786006-001Cabin Design using Truecking Containers200686006-001Federal Shopping Way/Bowling Alley 195986006-001U.S. Plywood Office, Seattle Wa1961-196286006-001Gregory Heights Kindergarden Building1954-195686006-001Foster High School Design 195286006-001Southgate Elementary Schoolundated86006-001Sheets Residence - Preliminary Study for Addition +
Home195486006-001Sidor House - Using Panelbils Systems, Division of US
Plywood Corp. (Peter Builder)195786006-001Toboton Retreat Idea - for Brygida (Kramer) + Dennis
McDermott's 15 acres in Yelm, WA198986006-001Retreat - Gideon + Ruth's "homebase" to be built 1/2
way up stairs behind houseundated86006-001First International Seminar on Industrial Design in
Barcelona, Spain - Gideon Speech196786006-001First International Seminar on Industrial Design in
Barcelona, Spain - Copies of Partipants' Speeches196786006-001Exploratorium San Francisco197696006-001Design of U.S. Projector Corp. Office Building
(Federal Shopping Way) 195896006-001U.S. Projector Corp- Federal Way, WA1956-195996006-001U.S. Projector Corp- Federal Way, WA1957-197096006-001U.S. Projector Corp + Jackissna Indictment for
Fraud197096006-001First and Cherry Building1968-196996006-001First and Cherry Building1968-197196006-001First and Cherry Building1968-197796006-001First and Cherry Building1971-1978Series
7Seattle's Pacific Museum of
Flight (Boeing Red Barn) 106006-001Pacific Northwest Avion Historical Foundation:
Contracts/invoices/cost1979-1980106006-001Museum of Flight Basic Concept1982106006-001Basic Concept Ideas1979-1988106006-001Resource Material1979106006-001Resource Material: Mechanics of Flight1980106006-001Drafts and Notes1979-1981106006-001Red Barn1978106006-001The Urge to Fly1979-1981106006-001Museum of Flight Preliminary Drawings1979106006-001Preliminary Drawings - Basic architecture, artifact
arrangement, great hall, basic plysical requirements, etc.1979106006-001Exhibit Concepts - Visitor Experience1979106006-001Museum Reports and Program Guidelines - Ibsen Nelson
and Assoc.1970106006-001Ibsen Nelson Museum of Flight 1980Series
8Norton Building 116006-001Norton Building 216 3rd Ave South, Seattle1971-1975116006-001Receipt and Agreement1971116006-001Beginnings/Finance1971-1983116006-001Financial Information , leases, bids1971-1988116006-001Norton Building Development Proposal to the Pioneer
Square Historical Board1976116006-001Building Sale - Alan and Betz1987116006-001Limited Partnerships1985116006-001Deed of Trust1971-1974116006-001Harborview1982-1992116006-001Harborview Sale and Safty Info1982-1990116006-001Harborview Financial Information1971-1982116006-001Photographs1972116006-001Norton Building - Tenants1974-1983116006-001Rent Summary Sheets1982116006-001Burlington Northern1971-1988116006-001Area Development1978-1992116006-001Historical Preservation1976-1980116006-001Norton Neighbors1976-1981Series
9Center on Contemporary Art (COCA)
Exhibit 12/16006-001Book, Notices201012/26006-001Correspondence with Ray Freeman2009-201012/36006-001Exhibit Proposal200212/46006-001Preliminary Writing and Design for Exhibit2009-201012/56006-001Rough Draft and Notes201012/66006-001Notes on "One Becoming" - Book and Exhibit201012/76006-001Rough Draft of Book2010Series
10The Kent Art Commission Gallery
Exhibit 12/86006-001Thoughts on "The Universe Becoming"200212/96006-001Poster and Card Design200212/106006-001Storyline200212/116006-001Comments from Viewers2002Series
11Tacoma Art Museum 13/16006-001"Jet Dreams" Exhibit199513/26006-001"Artists and Kids: A Workshop with Gideon
Kramer"199513/36006-001"True Art" Exhibit199713/46006-001"The End" Exhibit199913/56006-001"Frontiers in NW Design" Exhibit200013/66006-001"Fast Forward: The Shape of NW Design"
Exhibit200013/76006-0018th Biennial (Application and CDROM of
"Surprise")200613/86006-001Gideon Kramer Support and Donations1994-2006Series
12"Becoming Gideon" Project
13/96006-001"Becoming Gideon" Marketing and Press200613/106006-001Rough Draft of "Becoming Gideon" Book[2006]13/116006-001Rough Draft of "Becoming Gideon" Book[2006]13/126006-001Notes and Rough Drafts of "Becoming
Gideon"[2006]13/136006-001Rough Draft of "Becoming Gideon" Book[2006]13/146006-001Notes and Rough Drafts of "Becoming
Gideon"200313/156006-001Notes on "Becoming Gideon"200714/16006-001Notes and Rough Drafts of "Becoming
Gideon"201014/26006-001Notes and Rough Drafts of "Becoming
Gideon"2010Series
13Miscellaneous Projects
14/36006-001Burien Arts Commission200214/46006-001Benaroya/Shurrgard Storage - Preliminary
Study199714/56006-001Van/Bus/Camper Design 1970-199014/66006-001Shelter/Living Space Modules196914/76006-001Multi-Use Sphere - Transport/Storage/Living
Design197114/86006-001Spherical Boar Design1965-196614/96006-001Portable Vehicle-based Utility Core Design196914/106006-001Shelf Unit Design197014/116006-001First Unitarian Church1968-196914/126006-001Rainier Brewing Company197814/136006-001Tub Lift for Ruth Design200615/16006-001Athenian School - Proposal for Summer Student
Habitat1970Series
142401 SW 172nd St, Seattle
Property 15/26006-001Lower Level of House/Apartment Design199415/36006-001Street Enterance to Property Design200315/46006-001Preliminary House Design Ideas (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)1984-198715/56006-001"Homebase" Stairs and Tram Information (2401 SW 172nd
St, Seattle)200115/66006-001Studio #2 Plans and Thoughts (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)199015/76006-001Studio #1 Plans and Thoughts (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)195915/86006-001Assessed Value of (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)1938-197315/96006-001Research for House Sale (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)1992-199415/106006-001Property Profile and Market Analysis by John L. Scott
(2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle)199515/116006-001Deck Design for Hot Tub (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)200115/126006-001Wencil's Works - Contractor (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)19315/136006-001Lower Level Deck Construction (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)200015/146006-001Ideas for "Homebase" Bed and Breakfast or "The Utopia"
(2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle)196015/156006-001Beach Cabin Design (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)undated15/166006-001Geotechnical Report/Slope Stability Report
Analysis/Topographical Site Survey (2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle)2009-201015/176006-001Landslide that destroyed "Homebase"201016/16006-001Original Layour and Design Model (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)198316/26006-001Residential Appraisal Report (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)198816/36006-001House Permit (2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle)198516/46006-001Geotechnical Engineering Stury/Slope Stability
Analysis/Topographical Survery (2401 SW 172nd St, Seattle)1992-199316/56006-001Lot Line Adjustment Application/Quit Claim Deed (2401
SW 172nd St, Seattle)198916/66006-001Sale/Easement Document/Boundary Line Adjustment (2401
SW 172nd St, Seattle)1995-200116/76006-001Sale of Studio #2 to Frederick G. Braun and Victoria
L. Braun199516/86006-001Misc Property Work Records (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)199316/96006-001MLW General Contractor - Marvin Wetzel1980-199116/106006-001Architectural Services - Craig Wagner1983-198516/116006-001Construction Contracts, Bids, and Records (2401 SW
172nd St, Seattle)1980-199116/126006-001Holme Builders Contractor (2401 SW 172nd St,
Seattle)2002Series
15Notes, Writings, and Reference
Materials by Topic 17/16006-001"One - Intimacy"undated17/26006-001"Why…Noah Story"200417/36006-001Pavlovian Response200617/46006-001Entropy, God, Etc. 1991-199317/56006-001Realityundated17/66006-001Steady Stateundated17/76006-001The Known/Unknownundated17/86006-001Kamiundated17/96006-001God and Creation200017/106006-001Illusionundated17/116006-001Imperfection200017/126006-001Martin Luther200917/136006-001The Magic Numberundated17/146006-001Mathematicsundated17/156006-001Good/Evil in relation to Sept 11 Attacksundated17/166006-001Free Will199917/176006-001Mindundated17/186006-001"The Game"200017/196006-001Conflict Resolution and Peace Movement200717/206006-001Decisions200817/216006-001Definitions1990-199217/226006-001Energy/Force200417/236006-001Lightundated17/246006-001The Truth200517/256006-001Science and Religion1998-200818/16006-001Science and Religion1974-199418/26006-001Refernce Materials for "OM"undated18/36006-001Life Force200218/46006-001Fusionundated18/56006-001"The Seed Eternal" - Gideon Kramer (poem)1997-199818/66006-001Sophia, Eve, Sibil, etc. undated18/76006-001Sexuality (Women)199618/86006-001Giacomettiundated18/96006-001An Ancient Greek Prayerundated18/106006-001"Thoughts of the Universe Becoming"200018/116006-001Chardin, Teilhard199618/126006-001"At Home in the Universe" - Kaufmanundated18/136006-001"An Icon"undated18/146006-001Misc. Reference Materials undatedAccession No. 6006-002: Gideon Kramer papers, 1949-20237.68 cubic feet (6 cartons and 1 oversize
folder)Scope and Content: Design notebooks, drawings, writing, correspondence, photographs,
and other documents related to the ION chair and Kramer's other design
projects, as well as book drafts, art exhibit materials, and Kramer's
philosophical writing on various topics.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington
Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition Info: Gift of Brygida McDermott, February 2025
16006-002Box 11949-2012Scope and Content: ION chair material, including drawings, design notebooks,
promotional ephemera, photographs, correspondence, and other documents.
26006-002Box 21949-2011Scope and Content: American Institute of Architects (AIA) materials; photographs of
Kramer's artwork and art exhibition materials; Boeing Museum of Flight and
Portage Glacier Visitor Center design concepts; correspondence; candlemaking
business materials; and Kramer's philosophical writings on various topics.
36006-002Box 31954-2011Scope and Content: Notes and rough drafts for "Becoming Gideon" books; letters to
family; published articles; and and Kramer's philosophical writings on various
topics.
46006-002Box 41958-2012Scope and Content: "Becoming Gideon" book rough drafts; Portage Glacier Visitor
Center concept development materials; project notebooks; Kramer's philosophical
writings on various topics; and correspondence.
56006-002Box 51949-2011Scope and Content: Pioneer Square Property Owner's Association documents; Project
27+ materials and reports; International District development materials;
documents concerning the Kingdome construction; design notebooks; and Kramer's
philosophical writings on various topics.
66006-002Box 61961-2023Scope and Content: University of Oregon correspondence, photographs, and other
documents; design concepts for Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium; and
Kramer's philosophical writings on various topics.
76006-002Oversized File1966Scope and Content: ION chair design schematic on 12"x22" transparency sheet.