Category Archives: Consumers

smoking ad girl 1950s

Teen Smoking- How Lucky Can You Get?

How to Get Lucky At Your Prom Pretty and popular, Patty Barnes was one Lucky girl. Not only was this perky senior  voted her High School Prom Queen 1952, the honor came with a gift of a carton of Lucky

smoking ad girl 1950s

Teen Smoking- How Lucky Can You Get?

How to Get Lucky At Your Prom Pretty and popular, Patty Barnes was one Lucky girl. Not only was this perky senior  voted her High School Prom Queen 1952, the honor came with a gift of a carton of Lucky

Avon Lady Ad

Ding, Dong… Avon Calling Pt II

Avon may be a coveted account on AMC’s Mad Men, but for many mid-century housewives, Avon was a coveted career. By the early 1960s Dawn Logan our neighborhood Avon Lady, was living out the ring-a-ding ding-American Dream. With her Irish

Avon Lady Ad

Ding, Dong… Avon Calling Pt II

Avon may be a coveted account on AMC’s Mad Men, but for many mid-century housewives, Avon was a coveted career. By the early 1960s Dawn Logan our neighborhood Avon Lady, was living out the ring-a-ding ding-American Dream. With her Irish

illustration Johnnie Walker ad men

Unintentionally Gay Ads-Does He or Doesn’t He?

How’s your mid-century gaydar? Fans are buzzing about the Mad Men moment when mystery man Bob Benson slyly touched his knee against sourpuss Petes, setting tongues wagging about Bob’s possible homosexuality. Whether or not Bob’s 1968 unrefined gaydar was accurate

illustration Johnnie Walker ad men

Unintentionally Gay Ads-Does He or Doesn’t He?

How’s your mid-century gaydar? Fans are buzzing about the Mad Men moment when mystery man Bob Benson slyly touched his knee against sourpuss Petes, setting tongues wagging about Bob’s possible homosexuality. Whether or not Bob’s 1968 unrefined gaydar was accurate

Avon Lady Ad

Ding Dong…Avon Calling

 The lyrical sound of Ding Dong… Avon Calling was music to my mid-century mother’s ears.   My father may have said he wanted to be a hands on kinda Dad but it was my Mother who had her hands filled especially

Avon Lady Ad

Ding Dong…Avon Calling

 The lyrical sound of Ding Dong… Avon Calling was music to my mid-century mother’s ears.   My father may have said he wanted to be a hands on kinda Dad but it was my Mother who had her hands filled especially

Vintage illustration woman in bra 1950s

Bra Sizes – A Thing of the Past

For decades women have been in pursuit of that holy grail- the perfect bra. Not only one that fit properly, coaxing uncooperative curves into line, but showcasing m’ladys charms as well. For just as long, foundation manufacturers have dangled the

Vintage illustration woman in bra 1950s

Bra Sizes – A Thing of the Past

For decades women have been in pursuit of that holy grail- the perfect bra. Not only one that fit properly, coaxing uncooperative curves into line, but showcasing m’ladys charms as well. For just as long, foundation manufacturers have dangled the

Vintage childrens book illustration 1950s family

Cheerios and American Diversity

Feeling nostalgic for those pre-civil rights days?  Cheerios is serving up some good old-fashioned controversy in it’s all American breakfast cereal, bringing to light some rather racist comments.  Its use of an interracial family has some on both sides of

Vintage childrens book illustration 1950s family

Cheerios and American Diversity

Feeling nostalgic for those pre-civil rights days?  Cheerios is serving up some good old-fashioned controversy in it’s all American breakfast cereal, bringing to light some rather racist comments.  Its use of an interracial family has some on both sides of

WWII Ad Coca Cola Soldiers illustration

On the Front Lines with Coca Cola Pt II

During WWII the boys overseas were fighting for Mom, apple pie and a frosty bottle of Coke. Coca Cola, as much a part of the American Dream as a white picket fence and a home run, has long symbolized the

WWII Ad Coca Cola Soldiers illustration

On the Front Lines with Coca Cola Pt II

During WWII the boys overseas were fighting for Mom, apple pie and a frosty bottle of Coke. Coca Cola, as much a part of the American Dream as a white picket fence and a home run, has long symbolized the

WWII Coke ad 1944 illustration soldier

On the Front Lines With Coca Cola Pt. 1

During WWII the boys overseas were fighting for Mom, apple pie and a bottle of Coke. Coca Cola, as much a part of the American Dream as a white picket fence and baseball,  has symbolized the American way of life,

WWII Coke ad 1944 illustration soldier

On the Front Lines With Coca Cola Pt. 1

During WWII the boys overseas were fighting for Mom, apple pie and a bottle of Coke. Coca Cola, as much a part of the American Dream as a white picket fence and baseball,  has symbolized the American way of life,

Liberace Magazine Cover 1950s

Liberace: In the Candelabra Lit Closet

In Your Dreams Next to Rock Hudson, Liberace was Sue Ellen Wolinski’s absolute dream date. Liberace was just so fabulously different from any other fellows she had ever met. A wonderful pianist, yes. But, OH! so much more. Come Wednesday

Liberace Magazine Cover 1950s

Liberace: In the Candelabra Lit Closet

In Your Dreams Next to Rock Hudson, Liberace was Sue Ellen Wolinski’s absolute dream date. Liberace was just so fabulously different from any other fellows she had ever met. A wonderful pianist, yes. But, OH! so much more. Come Wednesday

Jon Whitcomb illustration ad pin it 1958

A Mothers Day Of Beauty

As a young child in the late 1950’s, I shadowed my mother everywhere she went.  I was her Baba Looey to her Quick Draw McGraw, Boo Boo to her Yogi Bear, Tonto to her Lone Ranger.Within her sphere of influence

Jon Whitcomb illustration ad pin it 1958

A Mothers Day Of Beauty

As a young child in the late 1950’s, I shadowed my mother everywhere she went.  I was her Baba Looey to her Quick Draw McGraw, Boo Boo to her Yogi Bear, Tonto to her Lone Ranger.Within her sphere of influence