Streamlining came from the science of hydrodynamics. However, advertising copywriters used it as a synonym for ‘new’. Inspired by the automobile industry, designers focused on efficiency. During the 1920s and 30s, the design industry was all about consumer engineering — a business tool to exactly fit the consumer’s needs in tastes, and stimulate the consumption of goods. There was a growing demand for better taste in machine-made products. Creators sought to revolutionize living by constantly innovating these new products. The word streamlining also relates to a more machine-based focus, with clean lines, being technologically advanced, and the expectation to make further compromises for convenience and comfort.
