If you love Mid-Century design (and the atomic age) odds are you have seen or own at least something with a ‘Starburst’ design. This could of been clock, a door knob, mirrors etc. Starbursts were everywhere and that is why it’s the theme of my blog post today. I just love them and I know many of you will as well after this post.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Fall in Love with Mid-Century, Atomic Age ‘Starbursts’ Design

How did Starbursts designs become popular?

Simply…the Atomic Age happened. The period roughly corresponds to 1940–1963, when concerns about nuclear war dominated Western society during the Cold War. Architecture, industrial design, commercial design (including advertising), interior design, and fine arts were all influenced by the themes of atomic science, as well as the Space Age, which coincided with that period. Atomic Age design became popular and instantly recognizable, with a use of atomic motifs and space age symbols (source).

Starburst Clock

Let’s start with the one piece that everyone recognizes from that time period…The Starburst Clock.

This new design was conceived in 1949 by George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller. After it became popular, Nelson had countless imitators, from Seth Thomas to Elgin to Lux to Westclox (Source).

The clock is also sometimes known as a “Sunburst Clock” (for shopping reference).

As you can see in this 1958 Sears Wishbook, the starburst design and other atomic age clocks were very popular.

Source: Wishbookweb.com

Mid-Century Seth Thomas starburst clock from the 1960s. STUNNING!

Source: Etsy

Mid-Century Modern, Ingraham starburst clock (Avail as of June 2023 HERE).

Source: Etsy

I wanted to share another Sears Wishbook page but this time from 1959 because the top right clock reminds me of the clock I shared above. Don’t you agree?

Source: wishbookweb.com

Other Vintage MCM Home Decor Items….

1960s starburst wall sconce.

Source: Etsy

Of course we cannot forget celing lamps, like this 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern version (Avail as of June 2023 HERE).

Note: You can find lots of modern versions of these sputnik / starburst style lights online, if you like these designs.

Source: Etsy

I live in an apartment building and we have those dome lights that are so boring and ugly in our livingroom, I just have to find a new solution….like this fantastic vintage MCM starburst shade for your ceiling light.

Source: eBay

Here is an image that was taken of an atomic starburst pattern seen on a vintage formica table. LOVE THIS!

Further Reading: Formica-For the Vintage Styled Home

Source: Flickr

1960-1965 era GE Textolite laminate countertop samples, that ‘Retro Renovation‘ found. I just love the “Gold Nugget” & “Champagne Nugget” sample names!

Source: Retro Renovation

Are you wondering what those formica designs actually looked like on a tabletop? Well here you go! A 1950s vintage kitchen formica table with an atomic starburst gold and silver design. Love it!

Further Reading: “Vintage Formica Tables”-Mid-Century Modern Design Ideas for the Vintage Home

Source: Worthpoint

Atomic Starburst ceramic salt and pepper shakers, made in Japan circa 1960’s.

Source: The Magenta Rose House

Home decor statement piece alert! A 1950s gloss black vase with white hand painted starburst motifs.

Source: Forajer

This cool 1960s metal magazine rack, most likely held stories about the atomic era.

Source: eBay

Even this 1960s wastebasket (trash can) got in on the starburst design action (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

Plates, Glasses and other Kitchenware…

Vintage atomic starburst pattern (the design was introduced in 1954), ‘Les Etoile Faienceries Continentales’ dinnerware from the 1960s (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

Old fashion glasses from Dominion Glass Canada circa 1950s (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

1960s CorningWare gold atomic starburst graduated coffee carafe (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

MCM atomic starburst tumbler glass circa 1950s (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

As seen in a 1958 Sears Christmas Wishbook – 6 Starburst pattern steel trays (far left).

I personally love all the TV Trays featured!

Source: wishbookweb.com

Starburst door knob back plates were also popular and seen on many MCM homes during this design heyday.

1960s MCM concave door knob + Atomic starburst backplate (Avail as of September 6th, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

There are also lots of modern copies of the starburst door knob if you are looking for something from today’s era, like….this vendor on Etsy (VintageRevivalArtCo), who has the door knob’s back plates in various colours (so you not stuck with whatever vintage colour came with the back plate).

Vintage Neon Signs

I cannot possibly do a post on this topic and not feature some cool vintage neon signs from this era. They are my absolute favourite.

I think the ‘Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign is one of the most recognizable signs on the planet.

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a Las Vegas landmark funded in May 1959 and erected soon after by Western Neon. The sign was designed by Betty Willis at the request of Ted Rogich, a local salesman, who sold it to Clark County, Nevada.

Legend has been written that “Willis considered this her gift to the city and wanted it to be in the public domain.” She has been quoted in saying, “If I had copyrighted the sign, it probably wouldn’t have been used as much and wouldn’t be as famous. But, it would be nice to have a dime for every time it’s been used.”

However, the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) has owned the sign since their purchase of Western Neon in the early 1960s, and the company leases the sign to Clark County (Source).

Source: Wikipedia

One more from Las Vegas..The Legendary Stardust Hotel in 1959 with all it’s atomic signage (starbursts & planets everywhere!).

Source: eBay

Bowling, cocktails, billards anyone? What a stunning 1960s neon sign.

Source: Pinterest

The ‘Pink Motel” in California with it’s angular, star-topped neon sign.

When Joseph Thomulka moved his family from Pennsylvania to California, he decided to build a pink motel, and in 1947, he did. In 1949, he added the Pink Café, now known as Cadillac Jack’s Café, and in 1959 he added a fish-shaped swimming pool (Source).

Source: Pinterest

I just had to share the motel’s fish-shaped pool after mentioning. So much fun!

Source: la.curbed.com

Looking for more Starburst items to purchase? Then head over to my Etsy “Favourites” page dedicated to all things Starburst (Vintage & Modern)!

Final note, in 2019 I travelled to Brussels, Belgium and saw one the largest Atomic Age architecture examples – The Brussels Atomium.

Question Time: Are you a fan of the Atomic era / Starburst 1950s / 1960s designs? Do you have anything in your home with this pattern? Share ANY thoughts you have on the topic in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts HERE.

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz