Hyunjoo Chung

Investigating the Future of the American Heirloom:
From the Industrial Revolution to the Present

As the technology advances and products are being mass produced so easily, the life of a product is getting shorter and people are more willing to part with their belongings for a “better” one. People are less likely to hold onto their family heirlooms if they have any. This has led me to question if any of these one-year-only objects will last throughout our time. My thesis investigates several examples of significant past products including antiques and collectables that have endured and have been beloved throughout history. By understanding why and how these things survived, we may gain better understanding of how to create the objects that we may want to hold onto.

Have an heirloom to share? Send it to Hyunjoo!