Khrushchev, Nixon and the Birth of 'California Cool'

The article probes the social background to the controversial ‘Kitchen Debate’ between the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and the US vice-president Richard Nixon, which occured at the American trade exhibition in Moscow during summer 1959. Political histories narrowly focus on diplomatic point-scoring between the two leaders, leaving largely untouched the purpose of the landmark exhibition, and its expression of America's ‘suburban’ values. This discussion traces a broad arc exploring: - The exchange between Khrushchev and Nixon, especially their discussion of housing - What was shown in the Moscow exhibition (detailing the display kitchen that prompted Khrushchev’s indignation), and the US State Department’s broad aims. - The expansion of suburbia in post-war America (census figures quoted), and changes in property development including the emergence of commuter suburbs. - The influential Levittown model for mass home construction & instant suburbs, and the impact of its highly publicised estates on Long Island, Connecticutt and New Jersey. - Nature and extent of suburban conformism, including pointed criticisms made by urban planning commentators, the sociologist William Whyte, and the Feminist Betty Friedan. - Mounting distress of women who did not feel fulfilled as homemakers, and their main grievances. - Segregation, and enforced racial exclusion at the Levittowns. - Portrayal of suburban values in the key literary works, ‘The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit’ (1955), ‘Revolutionary Road’ (1961), ‘The Stepford Wives’ (1972) - Efforts to raise the quality of home and suburb design in California, prompted by the magazine ‘Arts and Architecture’ - The pioneering Case Study House project. - Role of the Los Angeles firm Eames Office in post-war domestic design. - Contribution of Eames Office to the Moscow exhibition. 9pp.