Sue Perks

“Thoughts on universal language in Henry Dreyfuss’s Symbol Sourcebook”

In 1972 Henry Dreyfuss published his Symbol Sourcebook, the result of a lifetime spent working with symbols. Correspondence in the Henry Dreyfuss archive at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, demonstrates his passion for symbols, to facilitate functionality, transcend language barriers and attempt to establish a form of universal language, recurrent themes from 1960–1970. This is characterized by the growth of internationalism in the west, driven by increased wealth post WW2, leading to greater affordability of international travel. World Expos and Olympic meetings flourished, encouraging mobility, and airports needed to respond to passengers who could not understand languages different to their mother tongue.

In contrast to the rise of western prosperity and internationalist ideas, was the threat of nuclear disaster prompted by the Cold War. Communication using symbols was considered as a significant medium to foster international peace and attempt to establish a form of universal language. In response, organizations such as UNESCO, United Nations, and the Fund for Advancement of Education were supporting projects promoting peace and internationalism, and United Nations celebrated their 20th anniversary by naming 1965 ‘International Co-operation Year’. Consequently, attempts to ‘break the language barrier’ and find a universal way to communicate using symbols formed a common theme for designers and symbol commentators during the 1960s, to encourage peace and prosperity. Dreyfuss and his inner circle were part of this drive.

This presentation will review significant material evoking the spirit of the 1960s written by key symbol commentators illustrating the themes that helped to drive Dreyfuss forward in his attempts to ‘break the language barrier’. Documents include Natural History magazine’s ‘Communication Among All People Everywhere’ (1968), The Washington Post article ‘Breaking the Language Barrier’ (1967), and George Boehm’s ‘A New Sign Language Straight Ahead’ (1968) which sets out Dreyfuss’s ambitions for Symbol Sourcebook. It will conclude with a short review of Print magazine (1969) ‘Special Issue on International Signs and Symbols’ featuring the most prominent symbol communicators of the time.

Biography
Sue is a UK based writer, researcher and designer. Her research interests derive from how archives connect with each other and build on themes emanating from the legacy of the principles of Isotype. Her current research centres on the Henry Dreyfuss Symbol Sourcebook Archive at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.