"The objects in the exhibition are produced by machines for domestic, commercial, industrial and scientific purposes. Beauty determined the choice . . . whether their fine design was intended by artist or engineer, or merely a concomitant of machine production."
This preamble explained last week's assemblage of objects in Manhattan's Museum of Modern Art, newly fitted for the occasion with aluminum, steel and micarta walls and black & white glass showcases. A huge red propeller on the Museum stoop keynoted the show. Inside was a glittering confusion of coils, springs, carpet sweepers, kettles,...