This oral history interview with Edward T. Brounstein was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Brounstein’s home in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions, on May 25 and June 9, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds’ name was Linda S. Brody.

In the first interview session, conducted on May 25, 1982, Brounstein discusses his family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. He talks about his family’s wool trade company, J. Brounstein and Sons, and also describes some of his father’s wagoneering experiences. He discusses his Jewish heritage and his family’s observation of Judaism. He then talks about his career as a patternmaker and clothing designer, including his experiences at White Stag and the Columbia Garment Company in Portland and at the Del Mode Company in Seattle, Washington. He discusses the changes in women’s fashion over the 20th century, and talks about sizing of women’s clothing.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 9, 1982, Brounstein continues to discuss his career as a patternmaker and clothing designer. He talks about his design process, about working with different fabrics, and about how mass production of clothing changed the industry. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement activities, particularly teaching classes on patternmaking at Bassist College, now the Portland Art Institute.