Norman Bel Geddes (1893-1958) was a pioneer of streamlined automobile styling. In 1927 he designed a streamlined prototype car for the Graham-Page company, but like most of his work this design was never produced in numbers. Indeed, Bel Geddes' influence as a proponent and publicist of industrial design, streamlining and automobilism was substantially greater than that of the few products manufactured from his designs.
Although Bel Geddes did not design the first production streamlined car, the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, his ideas were crucial in persuading the manufacturer to produce the car. Bel Geddes was hired by Chrysler to help promote the Airflow, but his efforts to advance streamlining were undermined by the new car's poor sales performance.
Bel Geddes' most notable publicity achievement was the General Motors' Futurama pavilion at the 1939 New York World's fair. Futurama featured models of Bel Geddes' predicted 'modern' city of 1960.
In 1933 Bel Geddes designed a medal 'To the advancement of motor transportation' to commemorate the 25th anniversary of General Motors. Made by the Medallic Art Company of New York to General Motors' commission, this medal bore the embossed legend 'Norman Bel Geddes C. 1933' at bottom centre. In the Australian medallion this is replaced by Stokes' mark. In other respects Bel Geddes' medal is clearly the inspiration for the Australian medallion, although the latter is substantially larger at 23cm diameter compared with 7.62cm diameter for Bel Geddes' original.
Thomas Stokes came to Australia from Birmingham during the 1850s. He was unsuccessful on the Victorian goldfields and from 1856 began practising his trade of die-engraving in Melbourne. In succeeding decades his business established itself as one of Melbourne's leading medallists, and was joined by Stokes' sons Harry, Thomas junior and Vincent becoming Stokes and Sons in 1896. Stokes was incorporated as a proprietary company in 1911.
As well as medals, badges and silverware, Stokes diversified into a variety of metalware manufactures including automobile and domestic appliance components. However, Stokes and Sons remains notable for the quality of its medallry and table silverware.
The medallion bears a Stokes and Sons maker's mark at bottom centre. This mark was used on silverware produced between 1948 and 1960.
The medallion is one of an unknown number commissioned by General Motors-Holdens for award to dealers with 25 years company service. According to Stokes' company records they were last produced in 1984.
This text content licensed under 
This text content licensed under