Endowed lecture provides historical perspective on Japanese manufacturing

Assistant professor of history/Maltbie professor of social science Dr. Meghan Mettler presented “Gimcracks, Dollar Blouses and Transistors: How Americans Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Products Made in Japan” at Fayette Campus Thursday, November 7.

The Endowed Lecture Series presentation focused on the historical moment when the shift in public opinion occurred and the reputation of Japanese manufacturing began to turn around. The lecture not only explored issues of economic improvement, but also how consumer goods impact American perception on that good’s country of origin, and vice versa.

The lecture series continues Thursday, January 23, when UIU master of education chair/ Laura Heddleson professor of education Dr. Billie Cowley presents “Mental Illnesses in the Educational Setting” and UIU associate professor of art/McCosh professor of fine arts Elissa Wenthe lectures about “Impact of Arts-Based Community Education.”

The series concludes Thursday, April 2, when UIU professor of geosciences/Delano professor of science Dr. Kata McCarville presents “The Iowan Surface: A Megaflood Landscape.”

Each of the 2019-20 Endowed Lecture Series programs begin at 6:30 p.m. in Baker-Hebron Auditorium at UIU’s Fayette Campus.