Walter Peter Baermann Papers 1903-1972

Walter Peter Baermann was born on September 1, 1903 in southwest Germany. He earned an M.A. in architecture (1924), and a M.A. in mechanical engineering (1926), both from the Institute of Technology in Munich. In 1927, Baermann received a Ph.D. from the University of Munich. He moved to the United States in 1929, beginning his career with well-known designers such as Joseph Urban, Norman Bel Geddes, and Henry Dreyfuss. Baermann, by 1931, became the chief designer for Howe and Lescaze, an architectural firm with offices in New York and Philadelphia. During this period he spearheaded the design for the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society Building, one of the prototypes for the modern skyscraper. In 1932, Fortune Magazine listed him among the first twelve successful practitioners of industrial design. One year later, Baermann volunteered as an apprentice in New England industries to familiarize himself with American manufacturing methods, labor conditions, markets, and management methods. In November, 1933, he opened his own industrial design office in Holyoke, Massachusetts. During this time, Baermann began to exhibit his work throughout the region and authored articles in The Architectural Record and The Commonweal.

Combining his interest design and academics, Baermann joined, in 1937, the California Institute of Technology's faculty. He helped organize the Graduate Department of Industrial Design Engineering and was appointed professor and director of the new department. While still in private practice, Baermann lectured widely at universities throughout the United States. Baermann was also a member of the California Division of the President's National Resources Planning Board, and worked as a consultant (labor training specialist) to the War Production Board. In 1941, Baermann continued his academic career as head of the Design Department of Cranbrook Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; later that year, he became Chief of Graphics in the Office of Civilian Defense in Washington, D.C.

Resuming his design career in 1944, first in New York, then in North Carolina, Baermann formed his design company, Baermann & Associates. In 1964, Henry Kamphoefner recruited Baermann to teach at the School of Design at NC State University in Raleigh, NC. Baermann taught in the School of Design, believing that psychology, sociology, engineering, production technology, ecology, and cultural considerations should all be a part of the curriculum. At NC State, Baermann was an active member of the Educational Policy and Continuing Education Committees of the Faculty Senate, and participated in the University Program on Science and Society, securing a Foundation research grant. From 1969-1972 he worked at the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services; and until the time of his death at the age of sixty nine in November, 1972, he was involved in a joint project on Engineering and Design with the Engineering School of Duke University and NC State University.

The Walter Peter Baermann Papers are divided into nine series and, where appropriate, are alphabetically arranged by subject within each series. The first and most extensive series, Baermann Associates is divided into three subseries: Photographs, Firm Records, and Client Files. The Photograph subseries, which has been kept in its original order, deals almost exclusively with Baermann's work as a design engineer and product design professor. The majority of these photographs depict products that Baermann designed during the career extended from 1930-1972. Firm Records, second subseries, contains general information about Baermann's design practice. This series contains news clippings and magazine articles, documenting Baermann's growing reputation, including a small amount of information about Baermann's architectural designs. The third subseries, Client Files, testify to the extent of Baermann's client base as a practicing design engineer. These files are alphabetically arranged, in keeping with Baermann's file arrangement.They contain brochures, correspondence, design notes, and some photographs. The second series, Baermann Biographical Files, contains general biographical information on Baermann, much of it compiled by either Baermann or his wife, Christine M. Baermann, for press releases, entries in Who's Who, or similar publications. This series houses Baermann's lectures and articles, and some photographic portraits of Baermann. The next series, N.C. State - University Program on Science and Society includes the records from Baermann's work, from 1968-71, as a part of this project. This series reflects the broad base of Baermann's interest in education, and his goal of educating the whole person to become a contributing member of society. Overlapping this interest in education is captured in the series that follows: NC State Design School. The files contain course materials, curriculum studies, and other records relating to Baermann's activities as a professor at the N.C. State. The Artifacts series contains three examples of actual products created by Baermann. Audiotapes and Slides, small part of the collection contain taped interviews between Baermann and clients. The last series, Prints, Sketches, Drawings and Blueprints contains pencil sketches, watercolors, charcoal and ink sketches done by Baermann. Although most of the drawings are relating to his design practice, there are a number of sketches from the 1920-30s that show Baermann's varied interests.

Organized into nine series:

• Baermann Associates Photographs, 1930s-1972
;
• Baermann Biographical Files, 1945-1972
;
• Baermann Associates Firm Records, 1950-1972
;
• Baermann Associates Client Files, 1940-1972
;
• University Program on Science and Society, 1968-1971
;
• NC State Design School, 1964-1973
;
• Artifacts, 1960s
;
• Audiotapes and Slides, 1968 and undated
;
• Prints, Sketches, Drawings and Blueprints, 1920-1972

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[Identification of item], Walter Peter Baermann Papers, MC 00244, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Given by Christine Marting Baermann (Mrs. Walter P. Baermann), July 1997

Nell Medlin; Cilla Golas, 1997 October 10

Steven Mandeville-Gamble, 2005 December