Tool study #3: "Buck Rogers" planes from Millers Falls - Part 1

Streamline moderne is a type of Art Deco architecture that emerged in the mid 1930s and lasted more than two decades. It emphasized curving forms, and moved beyond architecture into industrial design, and even tool design. Millers Falls developed a line of tools in the post-WWII years which were heavy influenced by streamline modern – and symbolic of the 1950s “atomic era”. It is defined by tools such as the No.100A automatic push drill, the No.104 geared hand drill, and the ubiquitous No.709 smoothing and No.714 jack planes. These tools shared streamlined forms, were made of grey-enamled cast iron or aluminum, and had distinct red plastic Tenite handles. The study below looks at design aspects of the No. 709 and 714 planes.

Buck Rogers Planes - Part 1