Trivet c. 1938

This technical drawing of a trivet was made by Milton Grubstein. We can see the top and side views, as well as the object's original dimensions. This drawing was probably made in the United States, where Grubstein spent much of his career working for the Index of American Design. The Index was a visual archive of crafts and decorative arts, produced during the Great Depression, in the 1930s and 40s. As such, it was an attempt to create a usable past for American artists and designers. Technical drawings like this one are interesting because they challenge traditional notions of art. This trivet is not particularly exceptional, but it speaks to the belief that everyday objects can embody cultural meaning. The drawings from the Index of American Design can now be found in the National Gallery of Art. They are valuable resources for cultural historians. After all, what better way to understand a culture than by studying the things that people make and use?