Curators Emily Orr and Cynthia Trope give a Design Talk inspired by the exhibition 'Energizing the Everyday: Gifts from the George R. Kravis II Collection'. Discover how twentieth-century designers made the daily routines of home and work the inspiration for new developments in style, technology, and materials for everything from cocktail shakers and coffee pots to typewriters and televisions.

'Energizing the Everyday' recognizes the collecting vision of George R. Kravis II and its synergy with Cooper Hewitt’s broad and diverse collection of modern and contemporary design. An early interest in phonograph records and a background in broadcasting inform Kravis’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of radios, televisions, and technology. As Kravis’s passion for design grew, he expanded his collecting efforts beyond American electronic devices to include industrial design and furnishings for the home and office from the United States, Europe, and Asia. The exhibition features highlights of the Kravis collection dating from the early 20th century to the present. From industrial design and furniture to tableware and textiles, the exhibition makes visual, material and conceptual connections across time and geography to relate the far-reaching impact of design on the enhancement of daily life.