At the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York City

Glass Chair at the 1939 New York World’s Fair

A single piece of glass composes most of this chair, and its sleek design upends traditional furniture design.

Herter Brothers, Mark Hopkins House Side Chair

This fancy chair was made for outrageously rich Americans, but its modern style owes much to Japanese design.

Russel Wright, “American Modern” Pitchers

Pour a little out for the proletariat: the Robin Hood of earthenware pitchers brought modern design to the people.