Lustron Homes: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment [Hardcover]

Thomas T. Fetters (Author), Vincent Kohler (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786411333 | ISBN-13: 978-0786411337 | Publication Date: December 26, 2001

Advertised as "a new standard for living," the Lustron Home was introduced in 1948 in response to the urgent need for housing for veterans returning from World War II and their rapidly growing families. These enameled steel, prefabricated houses became very popular, and were heavily promoted from 1948 to 1950. Approximately 2,500 went up all over the United States and even South America. This work chronicles the history of the Lustron Corporation-how it got started and why it failed. The architectural differences between the six basic models of the Lustron Home, and how they could be built in as little as two days, are fully described. Also included is a listing that documents the location, model, color and various other particulars of the roughly 2,500 houses completed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Interesting...all levels” --Choice

“Lavishly illustrated...meticulously researched...strongly recommended” --E-Streams

“Wealth of information...interesting facts” --Press Publications --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Writer and researcher Thomas T. Fetters lives in Lombard, Illinois. Contributing author Vincent Kohler is a visiting professor of American Studies at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Mexico.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (December 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786411333
• ISBN-13: 978-0786411337
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative & Interesting, March 6, 2002

By 

Alice Pieritz (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lustron Homes: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment (Hardcover)

This is definitely a "niche" book...one would probably either need to have a direct interest in the Lustron home or have an interest in researching American housing types. I fall into the category of one who is interested in the Lustron home. My husband & I are in the process of purchasing a Lustron home...until about a month ago we had never even heard the word "Lustron". This book has proven to be highly enlightening & has allowed us to make an informed purchase.

I found it to be not only informative but also quite interesting reading. Mr. Fetters' extensive research allowed him to include many tidbits of information that made the story of the Lustron Company come to life. It is a somewhat bittersweet story; Mr. Fetters gives just due to a product that was years ahead of its time.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE definitive book on Lustron homes!, October 1, 2004

By 

Peter A. Rogers (Williamstown, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lustron Homes: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment (Hardcover)

An exceptionally well-researched and informative study of these historically-significant all-porcelain-enameled-steel houses. Fetters documents just about every aspect of Lustron's amazing history, from design & company background to manufacture & marketing to the political machinations that led to Lustron's demise. The text is supplemented by important company documents, useful diagrams and photos, and a valiant first attempt at listing all known Lustron addresses by state. (An updated online inventory, supplemented with the author's help, is available at "Lustron Locator".)

My copy of this book sees constant use as a valuable reference work, and the wealth of information collected in one place has provided a great resource for the ongoing nationwide effort to publicize & preserve Lustrons throughout the eastern U.S. (Many Lustrons have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but many more are demolished each year due to real estate pressures; fortunately, there is a growing community of concerned Lustron owners and a formal Lustron Home Preservation Society is taking shape.)

Every Lustron owner or enthusiast should have a copy of this important book. It will also appeal to architectural historians, recent-past preservationists, and those interested or involved in the current pre-fab housing trend.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and well-researched book, January 15, 2006

By 

Rosemary Thornton "Niece of Addie Hoyt Fargo ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lustron Homes: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment (Hardcover)

And I learned a lot of curious and odd little details that I thought were utterly fascinating. Tom Fetters is *the man* when it comes to Lustron Homes. Plus, the book is filled with dozens of vintage photos and brochures and ephemera. As an architectural writer, I loved the vintage graphics and old-fashioned 1950s advertising copy. What a hoot!

The only drawback is that the text is a little dry and a bit too technical in places. A small complaint, I know, but that aside, it's a good book and remains the definitive book on Lustron Homes.

Rose Thornton
author, The Houses That Sears Built