the Whyisit? archive


Welcome to a unique collection celebrating the work of author Adolph Strauss and illustrator George J. Evans Jr. Explore the Why Is It? Cable Tow Magazine pen-and-ink pages, original artwork, and personal papers preserved from Strauss's archive. Together, these materials document the creation and history of a remarkable mid-century publishing collaboration.

Whyisit? - The Original Cable Tow Magazine Feature Before Why Is It? was collected into book form, it appeared as a continuing feature in Cable Tow magazine. The pages...

Whyisit? - The Original Cable Tow Magazine Feature

Before Why Is It? was collected into book form, it appeared as a continuing feature in Cable Tow magazine. The pages presented here are original publication…

47 images

Personal Papers This section brings together letters, manuscripts, notes, unpublished projects, and other documents preserved among...

Personal Papers

This section brings together letters, manuscripts, notes, unpublished projects, and other documents preserved among Adolph Strauss's personal papers. They…

25 images

WHYISIT-ART A rare look behind the printed page. The illustrations presented here are the original pen-and-ink drawings created for...

WHYISIT-ART

A rare look behind the printed page. The illustrations presented here are the original pen-and-ink drawings created for Why Is It? by George J. Evans Jr. and…

15 images