The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 098 Fingerpaint: It Started With A Kid, A Bottle Of Iodine and a Door!

Think finger painting is just for messy toddlers? Think again. In this episode of the Mid Century Vault, Philip Mershon dives into the wild, therapeutic, and slightly accidental history of finger paint. From a progressive classroom in 1920s Rome to a staple of mid-century childhood and post-WWII art therapy, discover how one educator changed the way kids (and adults) express themselves forever. Learn about Ruth Faison Shaw—the genius who realized paintbrushes were actually separating children from their imaginations—and how her invention went from a bathroom door to the Crayola company! 👉 Don't forget to stick around until the end to click on my video on the history of Crayola! If you love pop culture history, mid-century nostalgia, and uncovering the origins of everyday things, hit that SUBSCRIBE button to help Philip reach his goal of 100,000 subscribers! Did you finger paint as a kid? Would you try it again today? Let us know your messy masterpieces in the comments below! #FingerPainting #MidCenturyHistory #ArtTherapy #RuthFaisonShaw #Nostalgia #Crayola #HistoryOfArt #MidCenturyVault