  norman melancton ("big norm") bel geddes (april 27, 1893&nbsp;â may 8, 1958) was an american theatrical and industrial designer who focused on aerodynamics. ==early life== bel geddes was born norman melancton geddes in adrian, michigan, and raised in new philadelphia, ohio, the son of flora luelle (nÃ©e yingling) and clifton terry geddes, a stockbroker. when he married helen belle schneider in 1916, they incorporated their names to bel geddes. their daughters were actress barbara bel geddes  and writer joan ulanov. ==career== bel geddes began his career with set designs for aline barnsdall's los angeles little theater in the 1916-17 season, then in 1918 as the scene designer for the metropolitan opera in new york. he designed and directed various theatrical works,{{cite book|first=bernhard russell|last=works|title= norman bel geddes: man of ideas|location=mad
1893_births 1958_deaths American_Theater_Hall_of_Fame_inductees American_architects American_industrial_designers Artists_from_Michigan Artists_from_Ohio People_from_Adrian,_Michigan People_from_Tuscarawas_County,_Ohio