Death of a traveling salesman

Magazine ad for Hertz found in the October 9, 1967, issue of Newsweek
Magazine ad for Hertz found in the October 9, 1967, issue of Newsweek

Avis might’ve reached advertising legend status with its “When you’re only No.2, you try harder. Or else.” ad and eventual “We try harder.” tagline, but I gotta tell ya, this 1967 Hertz ad is its own kind of awesome. I never knew it existed before picking up a short stack of old Newsweek magazines at a local flea market this weekend. And the word count in this single print ad? 385.

Avis v. Hertz – a history. 

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It’s not a party until you blow a few fuses.

Guide to Gracious Entertaining (General Electric) 1963

Cover of General Electric’s Guide to Gracious Entertaining, 1963

Beep beep! It’s a ‘Jeep’.

Print ad for the WIllys-Overland 'Jeep' Station Wagon found in the January, 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.
Print ad for the WIllys-Overland ‘Jeep’ Station Wagon found in the January, 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

The 1946 Willys Jeep station wagon was the first 2-door station wagon.

This was just seven years after the first Jeep prototype (“Quad”) was delivered to the US Army. It was designed in just 75 days.

The History of the Station Wagon

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Are you into Amelia memorabilia? 

Print ad for Amelia Earhard Luggage from the January 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

Print ad for Amelia Earhard Luggage from the January 1947 issue of Holiday magazine.

According to online calculators, $600 in 1947 would be $7,781 today (2022).

Five Things You May Not Know About Amelia Earhart, including her own clothing and luggage lines.

15 Fascinating Facts About Amelia Earhart

Let’s learn about crocodile and alligator leather!

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BWCB – Before Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey

If you’re from a small town in my neck of the woods, you’re probably familiar with Taco John’s. This comes from the early days, probably early 1970s, when it was just starting to get going.

Cricket wanted to help.

Taco John's Take Home Menu
Taco John's Menu, Descriptions and Prices
Taco John's Locations to Serve You!

Ration Supper Surprise! (1943)

Knox Wartime Recipes - How to be easy on your ration book

1943
Cheese Mold
Ration Supper Surprise!
Knox Sparkling Gelatine
Charles B. Knox Gelatine Co., Inc. 
Johnstown, N.Y.

Porkish Pride

1950 • The Morrell Menu Maker • Morrell Pride Meats • John Morrell & Co. • Ottuma, Iowa
1950 • The Morrell Menu Maker • Morrell Pride Meats • John Morrell & Co. • Ottuma, Iowa
1950 • The Morrell Menu Maker • Morrell Pride Meats • John Morrell & Co. • Ottuma, Iowa

1950 • The Morrell Menu Maker • Morrell Pride Meats • John Morrell & Co. • Ottuma, Iowa

That’s hot.

Print ad for Coty Paris found in the December 1946 issue of Art News magazine.
Print ad for Coty Paris found in the December 1946 issue of Art News magazine.

Introduced in 1923 by François Coty.

The history of Coty.

What the heck is dusting powder?

Of curious note is that they show the range of prices from high to low instead of low to high like many of us these days are more used to. Perhaps to help seal the deal it was high-end stuff.

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Say goodbye to girdles!

Circa 1949 magazine ad for Blue Swan Suspants
Circa 1949 magazine ad for Blue Swan Suspants

The answer to a maiden’s prayer.

Wanna see the Blue Swan Mills factory? Just scroll at bit at the link.

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Don’t hate the player piano; hate the game.

Magazine ad for The Aeolian Company’s Pianola found in the September 1904 issue of The Review of Reviews
Magazine ad for The Aeolian Company’s Pianola found in the September 1904 issue of The Review of Reviews

Alas, my summer home is also my fall, winter and spring home. 

Aeolian is defined as “relating to or arising from the action of the wind”. If only I had known this word as a child.

The Aeolian Company was once the world’s largest piano supplier, later going out of business in 1985.

A brief history of the pianola, or player piano.

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