1990s

Like the 1950s, the '90s have enjoyed, for the most part, a period of financial stability. Despite a brief period of recession following the Gulf War crisis, the United States in the 1990s has been thriving economically.

The computer became fully integrated into the American lifestyle, bridging cultural gaps created by distance. Suddenly, global economy became meaningful.

With the 20th anniversary of Earth Day and the global mindset, conservation again became a tennet to live by and key theme in design. Bright neon colors and hip hop style that were favorable at the beginning of the decade gave way to more subtle, streamlined economical design. Portabilty and do-it-yourself furniture was poplular. Clean, relaxed styles were favored.

Once again, colors played an important role in choice of products. Computers, for example, evolved from beige boxes into curvy contoured see-through plastic accessories.

"Retro" became another influential word in design. Borrowing from classic designs, Butterfly chairs, chrome Sunbeam mixers and the revamped VW bug, were given a '90s edge by introducing new colors.