Aeroesthetics

A history of aerodynamic thinking in automotive design from the end of World War I to the brink of World War II.

Following World War I, car design in many European automobile companies underwent significant changes as they gained increased exposure to aviation expertise. Engineers and manufacturers, whose skills had been sharpened by wartime demands, began applying their knowledge to car design. In doing so, they redefined notions of shape and form, aiming to create vehicles that could slice through the air more efficiently. However, while many designs appeared aerodynamic, they often fell short in performance, while some of the most aerodynamically advanced vehicles featured unconventional or visually challenging aesthetics. Aeroesthetics: The Art of Streamlining explores the science of aerodynamics in depth and examines its influence on vehicle design up to the outbreak of World War II.