Chapter 9: 1971-1980 9:2 

The big news this decade was, in 1976, the launching of Fine Woodworking.  For example, as the entries from the Index to How to do It Information, 1963-1989  (below) shows, one of the earliest of FW articles captured the thoughts of Lester Margon -- he died in 1980 -- on illustrating furniture in museums for woodworkers. Fine Woodworking magazine, though less than four years old, had almost 150,000 subscribers. (Source: The News Frederick, MD, December 14, 1979, page 43.)  But other titles followed:  FW spinoffs – Fine Woodworking Biennial Design Book,  Fine Woodworking Techniques, [frequency?]  1978-;   and Taunton Press (see below); The Woodworker’s Journal [every two months], 1970s?  Canadian Workshop 1977-, Woodsmith [frequency?] 1979-; Woodworker, 1979-; Shopsmith launched its magazine, Hands On late in 1979. Woodworker's Manuals 1971-1980 For statistics on number of woodworker's manuals published decade by decade, see manuals access page.  More and more frequently, copies of woodworker's manuals are being digitized and uploaded to the Internet by Google Books. I try to keep up with these events, and indicate appropriately the titles of woodworker's manuals that can be read on the Web, but it is a large job, so I ask that readers inform me if they encounter webbased manuals. Taunton Press, created by Fine Woodworking, began its existence September, 1976, when Taunton Press, Inc., purchased a parcel of land and buildings on Church Road, for $120,000. (Source: The Bridgeport (CT) Post September 13, 1976, page 33) By the end of 1979, the Fine Woodworking Biennial Design Book One, published in 1976, sold over 60,000 copies  to date. "It is widely acclaimed as an important introduction to the state of the woodworker's art". (Source: The News Frederick, MD, December 14, 1979, page 43.) Design Book Two -- 9 a 12 inches in size, has 288 pages,  an index. and a directory of woodworkers. Priced at $15.95 hardcover, $11.95 paperback, it was sold in bookstores or could be purchased directly from Taunton. "It not only shows the best of contemporary woodworking. but also allows readers to contact the craftsmen themselves". (Source: The News Frederick, MD, December 14, 1979, page 43.) One of the woodworkers who had an example of work in Design Book Two is the associate professor of mathematics at the Naval Academy, Ed Moore. Moore has written articles for Fine Woodworking and for Mathematics for the Woodworker. The mathematics professor's talents as a woodworker was also acclaimed in his local newspaper: "A Cut Above: 'Weekend Woodworker' Finds Critical Acclaim" You don't have to build a better mousetrap to get the world to beat a path to your door: A better Parsons table will do as well. ...  Although he's only a weekend woodworker, the quality of his work is bringing national recognition and commercial success to Ed Moore and the path to his garage workshop in Bowie MD is well trod. The upward turning in his avocation came the day, more than four years ago, when Moore dropped in to ask if a local interior decorator could use his tables. "He just wandered in one day with one of his tables and I almost fainted when I saw it," said Elizabeth Saunders, whose company has kept Moore busy since then designing and building everything from individual tables to complete executive office wall units. Describing him as "a most extraordinary craftsman," Elizabeth Interiors used two of his tables in the redecoration of the chambers of Chief Judge Robert C. Murphy of the Court of Appeals. It was this exposure of his work that led to Moore's commission to create a table specially designed to hold the original seal of the State of Maryland and a gavel originally presented to the Court of Appeals by St. Mary's Parish in 1854. He is now at work on the special table, a Hepplewhite vitrine, or display table with glass top, which will suit the era it honors, some 200 years ago, when the Court of Appeals was founded. "I like knowing the sequence of how things go together," said Moore, who specializes in Parsons tables: a clean, simple design originated in the 1930s at the Paris division of the Parsons School of Design. But he delights in creating such diversities as an original puzzle cube for others of a precise turn of mind, and other small items such as cutting boards, which are sold locally at Hugs and Kisses crafts shop on Maryland Avenue. Using walnut, oak and ash, Moore is continuing a tradition of woodwork in his family; his father did woodwork and his grandfather was known for his circular staircases. Source: Lauraine Wagner, "A Cut Above: 'Weekend Woodworker' Finds Critical Acclaim", The Capital Annapolis MD Febraury 15, 1980, page 20 [The box below contains details that right now are not clear, but I will give accurate details when they become available.] Another book [with a focus] on the current interest in carpentry and cabinetmaking is Fine Woodworking [Design Book One?]. [ published by the Taunton Press in Connecticut is a spinoff, that reprints articles from issues of FW or original articles?; more to come.] The book contains 600 photographs of 500 designs by 440 woodworkers. Quite impressive. Most of the pieces are functional tables and chairs, traditional and modern, but also included are a few way-out ideas, such as a wing chair. It really has huge bird's wings. Would sitting in it be conducive to all kinds of fantasies? Another chapter illustrates wooden sculptures including musical instruments, The photographs are excellent and you really want to touch the satiny finish of the wood. The book makes one aware of the highly creative and incredibly varied work being done today by professional designer craftsmen and amateurs. It includes a drafting table by local craftsman Kip Neale from Housatonic. Fine Woodworking can be a source of inspiration to craftspeople and anyone who enjoys good design. Any of these books would provide hours of pleasure and could appeal to different temperaments on your gift list. Source: Florence Temko, "Craft Books for Christmas", The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA, December 1, 1977, page 10 Local woodworker included in guide book Newtown. Conn. - A local crafts-man's work (Robert K Hoffman of Frederick) is included in a new photographic collection of outstanding work in wood published by Taunton Press. Design Book Two, from the editors of Fine Woodworking, contains the best 1,150 photos of more than 12,000 woodworking entries submitted to the magazine. The furniture, tools and accessories were judged for good design,  proper attention to the principles of wood construction,  artful use of wood and careful workmanship. The photographs in Design Book Two range from classical furniture reproductions to dazzling abstract wood sculpture. It is the complete volume of design in wood by contemporary North American craftsmen. This local craftsman is part of a woodworking renaissance - a growing number of skilled amateur and professional woodworkers all across North America producing high-caliber designs in wood. These craftsmen, whether at work in weekend workshops or designer studios, are creating furniture and accessories that have set a new design standard. (Source: The News Frederick, MD, December 14, 1979, page 43.)

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