Norman Bel Geddes
Norman Bel Geddes (born Norman Melancton Geddes; April 27, 1893 – May 8, 1958) was an American theatrical and industrial designer, described in 2012 by the New York Times as "a brilliant craftsman and draftsman, a master of style, the 20th century’s Leonardo da Vinci." As a young designer, Bel Geddes brought an innovative and energized perspective to the Broadway stage and New York’s Metropolitan Opera. In the 1930s he became one of the first to hold the title of Industrial Designer. His futuristic Streamline designs re-envisioned many of the utilitarian objects of the day from airplanes and ocean liners to cocktail shakers and circuses. He also conceived and oversaw construction of the Futurama Exhibition at the 1939 New York World's Fair. |
Birth and Death Data: Born Adrian (city in Michigan, United States), Died May 8, 1958 (Manhattan (borough of New York City, New York, United States) )
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1931
Roles Represented in DAHR: session supervisor
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | MVE-70239 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 1 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70240 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 2 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70241 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 3 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70242 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 6 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70243 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 4 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70244 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 5 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70245 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 8 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor | |
| Victor | MVE-70246 | 16-in. | 9/16/1931 | Hamlet : Incidental music, no. 7 | Alexander Smallens | Instrumental ensemble, with sound effects | session supervisor |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Geddes, Norman Bel," accessed December 24, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102489.
Geddes, Norman Bel. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102489.
"Geddes, Norman Bel." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 24 December 2025.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Norman Bel Geddes
Grove: Norman Bel Geddes
IMDb: Norman Bel Geddes
Britannica: Norman Bel Geddes
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Geddes, Norman Bel, 1893-1958 - https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79092541
Wikidata: Norman Bel Geddes - https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q278247
VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/39589087
Getty ULAN: Geddes, Norman Bel - https://vocab.getty.edu/ulan/500024541
Fast: https://id.worldcat.org/fast/41132 - https://id.worldcat.org/fast/41132
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