The History of Diners in New Jersey

Did you know New Jersey is universally recognized as the “Diner Capital of the World”? That it has an estimated 600 diners—more than anywhere else? Find out more as New Jersey author and historian Michael Gabriele talks about NJ diners and his book, “The History of Diners in New Jersey,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 pm. The book will also be available for purchase and signing.

Diners serve as landmarks and friendly, familiar beacons on Garden State byways, highways and cities. They are signature structures in New Jersey’s built landscape. In the book, Mr. Gabriele gathers pieces of this historical puzzle (people, events, places, dates, facts and figures) and assembles them into a cohesive narrative that traces the grand 100-year history of New Jersey’s diner business. More than just inviting places to consume hamburgers, French fries and coffee, diners have become an essential part of the Garden State’s culture, commerce, history and mythology. They are iconic examples of American industrial design during the 20th century and have come to symbolize the public’s fascination with “retro” culture.

The book’s title also reflects the grand legacy of the many major U.S. diner manufacturers that once operated throughout the state during the 20th century. These small, trailblazing production companies—a list that includes O’Mahony, Kullman, Fodero, Paramount, Silk City, Mountain View, Master, Swingle and others—designed and built the dazzling, vintage stainless steel eateries that are admired throughout the world. These independent New Jersey diner manufacturers turned out thousands of prefabricated, modular architectural gems that were constructed as engineered products inside of factories, much like a car or a plane. They combined distinctive “modern” design concepts (“Streamline Moderne” structures that featured stainless steel exteriors and interiors, juke boxes and neon lights) with old-world skills and materials (terrazzo floors, marble counters, elegant wood and decorative tile).

This is Michael Gabriele’s second book with The History Press. The first, “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey,” was published in 2011. A lifelong New Jersey resident who lives in Clifton, Gabriele has been a journalist for more than 35 years. He is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University; a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society; a member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey; and serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.