Lotus: Design Decades: 1970 -1979<\/strong><\/p>\n Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n This series has been created specifically by the A&R to explore how wider social and cultural events and design interacted. In particular it seeks to demonstrate the extent that Lotus designs influenced taste, fashion, identity and impacted on the world stage. In future editions we will explore in turn the remaining decades of Colin Chapman and Lotus cars.<\/p>\n In this article we hope to capture some of the complex dynamics of the era .For some it is viewed as the start of a modern Britain. For others it divided the nation and created scars that have never been healed. The decade of the 70\u2019s appears polarized. At its start there was still some Hippy Chick and Maharishi transcendental idealism and Hare Krishna processions through London, at the end the Punks. The film \u201cA Clockwork Orange\u201d is helpful introduction to the times and aspects of the mild anarchy \/ irreverence. Broad Interpretation of the Decade-The <\/strong>Abrupt Transition<\/strong><\/p>\n The 20th Century quotes: In the late 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s there were riots and rebellion. Britain experienced anxiety, instability, shock and alienation part brought on by the Oil Crisis. A portion of maturing youth reacted against consumerism, corporatism and multi nationals. We witnessed the early launch of the environmental movement ecological considerations and humanitarianism. There were other profound societal changes and divisions taking place.<\/p>\n In the late 70\u2019s and 80\u2019s the British pendulum swung away from the welfare emphasis to that of monetarism of the Thatcher era. Possible consistent with this economic view was the belief that manufacturing could not be saved nether could it compete with low wage Asian labour. The information technology era suggested that a nations economy might prosper from \u201cinvisible earnings\u201d and the conduct\/ administration of finance, banking, insurance, and the geometric spiral expansion of mortgage finance and credit. Risebero graphically illustrates the form and function \/ motivation that saw the era becomes one dominated by corporatism and the associated high-rise buildings e.g. the Nat-West Tower and the eventual emergence of Canary Wharf. Some of the other technological innovations of the era were fibre optics, microwave ovens, VCRS and at a later stage e commerce.<\/p>\n <\/strong>In the decade of the 70\u2019 idealism and hedonism quickly died to be replaced by disillusionment most probably prompted by rapid economic decline. Inflation rose inexorably. Culturally and socially the previous newly established liberalism would extend and gay rights and a self-expression of the androgynous and Glam Rock through the feminist movement that achieved legal status. [Part of package that would eventually include Sex, Race and Equal Pay] .The 1970s possessed its own contradictions as pornography expanded and there were two significant obscenity trials- \u201cThe Little Red School Book\u2019 and Oz 28 \u2013School kids Issue. During the 70\u2019s Britain built some of its second generation New Towns like Milton Keynes and Peterborough. Along with these the movement of out of town shopping malls started [again a reference to the seeds of decline in town centers]. Gentrification continued in many cities and home ownership expanded in the new sub-urban areas aided by the growth of Building Societies and powerful property developers. Looking back it might seem that the inflationary property price spiral started in the 70\u2019s property race.<\/p>\n Package holidays really started in the 70\u2019s for those with the income to afford travel. In 1979 Mrs. Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister<\/p>\n Chronology and Time Line: – Major Social, Technical Cultural Events and Design Icons of the Decade. [Design\/ science\/ technical in Italic]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1970<\/p>\n 1971<\/p>\n 1972<\/p>\n 1973<\/p>\n 1974<\/p>\n 1975<\/p>\n 1976<\/p>\n 1977<\/p>\n
\nThe additional purposes and opportunities are:<\/p>\n\n
\nIn the process it is hoped that the material presented can be assembled for a future interactive exhibition. This ought to graphically and memorably illustrate the power and impact that gave Lotus such a lasting, enduring design code, methodology and mantra.
\nThis article includes a timeline in order that the respect historical and technological influences and forces can be seen in their interactive context.<\/p>\n
\n\u201d For many people it was the decade of disillusionment. The years in which the heady idealism of the 1960\u2019s the belief of millions of young people that they could really change the world, collapsed into cynicism and bitterness. From the ashes of revolutionary fervour arose the ugly phoenix of terrorism\u2026[and continued] \u2026\u2026 It was a decade of economic decline and industrial unrest in Western Democracies .The swingeing OPEC oil price rise that followed in the wake of the Yom Kippur War sent shock waves through the industrial world. In Britain the governments of right and left seemed equally unable to arrest the decent into economic chaos, of which the three day week working week and the \u201cwinter of discontent\u201d became potent symbols\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThe government attempted to modernize and the catch phrase was <\/strong>Modern Man and modern times. New materialism with ambition was hoped and expected but external world events particularly oil militated against much of this. Despite considerable economic difficulty Britain benefited from North Sea oil. However some might contend this was used to conceal or mitigate against the severe structural changes and unemployment. Its role palliative and hence many of the underlying problems still remain today.<\/p>\n
\nThere were other significant societal changes. Some became concerned for the environment and a new craft tradition in design and manufacture occurred. Alongside this developed an anti war movement, feminism and Civil Rights<\/p>\n\n
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