Emm’s bad word thread got me thinking, and I thought it would be cool to post ads from the 1950s that seemed to have shaped our thinking into certain stereotypes. The quintessential housewife seems to come to mind here. Here’s an example (although not the best). Notice the apron, which indicates she’s been working all day, and yet she still looks spectacular: make up perfect, hair in place…I’ll bet she’ll even have supper on the table at 5pm sharp!
So go ahead, share some ads that seem to have shaped our thinking, even now. I think it’ll be interesting.
I feel like this is Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson has finally proposed to her.
She can quite solving those silly mysteries now and become a real woman.
http://www.lileks.com/institute/perm/gallery2/4.html
This is from James Lilek’s fabulous website.
The fifties ads are funny but there is something poignant about them.
Perhaps it is my age that sees them that way. Everyone is so healthy-looking, and hopeful, and well-groomed.
They don’t know what’s ahead.
Ain’t we got fun. As if the notion of advising women to douche with Lysol weren’t bad enough, while searching around I found ads cheerfully urging, ehrm, homemakers to wash their pots and pans with Drano. But they were from the 1940s so I had to pass them up. Now then:
A Dramatized Story That Could Happen To You!
This must have confused the innocent 1950s consumers. They might have been quite ready to believe that marital conflict is actually caused by vitamin-poor diets…but if this truly Could Happen To Them, then why the diffident little disclaimer under the steamy photo: “Posed by professional models”? There goes your willing suspension of disbelief, right out the window, along with the 25 cents.
The nattily attired 50s family shops for Vaseline together. Heart-warming, isn’t it? Especially the way mother and daughter proudly hold high their Blue Seal packages, pointing at them ecstatically as though this proves the Rapture is nigh.
Scotties keep cold germs from spreading. Scotties are, in fact, sneeze-proof. What more need I say?
If I had only realized long ago that etiquette required me to place rolls of toilet tissue on little pedestals throughout my home, my social life would have been so much more fulfilling. Still, it’s never too late. Anyone know where I can get a good price on 75 yards of pale-pink tulle…and a crinoline?
I dunno…would that’ve helped safeguard your dainty feminine allure?
By now I’m actually more inspired to install giant, transparent padlocks all over the house with labels like “dirty dishes,” “wafting pet hair,” and
“socks on the floor,” just to explain what happened to mine.
I’m glad that I now know how to retain my dainty feminine allure. Although I’m thinking that decking my house out in pink tulle could be helpful. I’m sure my husband would find that particularly alluring, especially if I shove a roll of toilet paper into his hands when he walks into the door.
The one thing that I always find really funny about these ads is that not only are these housewives totally perfect looking, they all apparently do every bit of their housework in smart looking pumps.
