Following
World War I, Vienna experienced extreme devastation and deprivation which radicalized architects and designers. This inspired them to engage in class politics and confront the city’s housing shortage. The Gesellschafts-und Wirtschaftmuseum (also known as the Museum of Society and Business) was established in 1924. The original Gesellschafts- und Wirtschaftsmuseum (GeWiMu) existed from January 1925 until it was suppressed by the
Austrofascists in February 1934. It was the base for the development of the
Vienna Method. It was founded by
Otto Neurath and evolved out of the Museum für Siedlung und Städtebau (Museum for Settlement and Town Planning). This had been set up following Neurath's involvement in the
Austrian Association for Settlements and Small Gardens. The museum developed a collaborative relationship with the
Otto Glöckel. In 1927,
Willem Sandberg visited Vienna, where he studied the Isotype system at the museum. In 1928 Neurath recruited
Gerd Arntz from
Düsseldorf to lead the Art and Design team there. Arntz was originally unsure about whether to take up the job offer, but thanks to the encouragement of
Franz Seiwert he accepted and was soon joined by
Peter Alma and
Augustin Tschinkel, both also associated with the
Cologne Progressives, the art group Seiwert and Arntz had set up.
Vienna Method The GeWiMu was the home of one of the most significant developments in graphic design: the
Vienna Method. This evolved out of Neurath's desire to produce informational material which was understandable regardless of the language skills of the onlooker. ==Directors==