In Chapter 1, I was interested in learning background information about J.B. Jackson that included his education, traveling, and variety of people that influenced his life and his education. Although he had experiences with wealth and privilege, he also valued the hard work of manual labor and balance in his own life. He spent time at private boarding schools in the United States and Europe which resulted in him being fluent in Spanish, French, and German. Jackson also tested the waters in college until he found the right fit. He served in the U.S. Army, worked as a publisher and editor for his Landscape magazine, and taught college courses at Harvard, Berkeley, and other universities.
Jackson spent time in both Europe and the United States which gave him a somewhat new perspective on his interpretation of the American landscape. He saw the importance in the everyday lives of Americans and how the architecture, countryside, shopping centers, and roadways represent us. “Winston Churchill put it simply when he wrote, “We shape our buildings, and then they shape us” (Jackson, 2003, p.15).
The Churchill quote reminds me of Jackson’s interest in the American highway landscape in chapter 5. Professional publications found the roadside signs and silly architecture ugly, and low class. However, Jackson viewed it as unique and fun. In part he understood how some may view the large overpowering signs as ugly to the landscape, however he understood the economic reasons for roadside restaurants, hotels, and gas stations using that type of advertising to the masses. Chapter 5 also touches on the socioeconomic climate during the 50s & 60s in which people had more leisure time and income that they could spend money on their automobiles and spend time traveling, or going on a scenic drive. Henry Ford and the automotive boom greatly changed the roadways of America, and increased government spending on roadways.
Also, what kept coming to my mind after reading the text were the many connections or themes between American lifestyle, socioeconomics, advertising, leisure time, and how they influence modern architecture.