Movie attendance plummeted during the Hard Times of the 1930s. Savvy marketers at Salem China and other potteries sold theater managers on the idea of giving away free dishes to women to attract viewers. “Dish Night” promotions were wildly successful. Salem sold train cars full of their now-famous Tricorne pattern to theaters. “Free to each lady” offers brought colorful dinnerware into Depression era homes, controversy to the movie business, and even riots when too many gravy boats appeared.

In this presentation based on her new book, Detroit Tiki, join author Renee Tadey on a journey through the history of tiki-themed destinations in Detroit.

For at least 6000 years, people have summoned sourdough starter seemingly out of the air and combined it with milled wheat, water and a dash of salt to produce “the staff of life”: bread. Professor Eric Pallant takes us on a 6,000-year journey through history as we learn why bread (and not the slicer) was the greatest invention of all time. We will meet ancient Egyptian pyramid builders, bygone Roman bakers, medieval housewives, Gold Rush miners, and historical figures like Plato, Pliny the Elder and Marie Antoinette.

Merging handcrafting techniques with industrial production, Edith Heath helped pioneer a new era for American dinnerware. In this presentation, Heath Ceramics Archivist and Curator Julie Muñiz explores this legacy through historic images and photos from the company’s archive, and also shares her insights into the Heath Ceramic collection at IMoDD, part of the IMoDD Unforgettable Dinnerware lecture series.

This event is in partnership with the International Museum of Dinnerware Design.

The International Museum of Dinnerware Design was established in 2012. On its tenth anniversary, Margaret Carney, the director and curator of the museum, will share stories of delicious exhibitions, interweaving culinary delights along the way.

Margaret Carney is a ceramic historian who holds a Ph.D. in Asian art history. Curated IMDD exhibitions include The Art of High Chair Fine Dining, Cake, Butter, Breakfast and the upcoming 2023 invitational and juried exhibition, Entomophagous Dining.

Join us for the latest installment in a new series on the history of desserts by decade. This month, we will discuss the 1930s!

Journalist Micheline Maynard will discuss her new book, Satisfaction Guaranteed: How Zingerman's Built a Corner Deli into a Global Food Community. Certain businesses are legendary, exerting immense influence in their field. Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is one of those places.

The Saenger Porcelain tabletop designs grew organically from the designer’s exploration of the ceramic casting process. He will cover highlights of the journey during his studio presentation, part of the IMoDD Unforgettable Dinnerware lecture series. Presented by Peter Saenger, designer.

This event is in partnership with the International Museum of Dinnerware Design.

Each week, AADL staff members share recipes in a specific category – from “Unusual Veggies” to “Favorite Cookies” - whether tried and true or tried and failed.

The recipes that are discussed in this episode are attached to this event page.

Please join the conversation in the comments section! What are your favorite recipes from this week’s category?

Each week, AADL staff members share recipes in a specific category – from “Unusual Veggies” to “Favorite Cookies” - whether tried and true or tried and failed.

The recipes that are discussed in this episode are attached to this event page.

Please join the conversation in the comments section! What are your favorite recipes from this week’s category?