Tag Archives: history

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

Did the Swedish Nightingale sing like the Swedish Chef? We’ll never know.

Victor / Victrola magazine ad found in the February 1916 issue of Country Life in America
Victor / Victrola magazine ad found in the February 1916 issue of Country Life in America

The True Story of P.T. Barnum and Jenny Lind

The hidden history behind Nipper, one of the most famous dogs in the world

Continue reading

This is why we can’t have nice things. Oh, wait…

1948 magazine ad for the Van Raalte Company
1948 magazine ad for the Van Raalte Company

I’m assuming this company wasn’t named after Dutch Reformed clergyman Albertus van Raalte, but maybe?

Nope. It’s was Emanuel van Raalte. Oh well.

I tried, but can’t quite make out the artist’s signature. Probably not Walt Disney.

Continue reading

Before there was Netflix and Chill, there was Bartlett’s and Boink.

Magazine ad for Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations found in the July 7, 1972 issue of Life magazine.
Magazine ad for Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations found in the July 7, 1972 issue of Life magazine.

“Do… or do not. There is no try.” — Winston Churchill

John Bartlett’s “Familiar Quotations” was first printed in 1855. It’s still in print (many versions later), but it has also made the leap into the app world.

Continue reading

You can really taste the mole asses.

Instant Postum magazine ad found on the back cover of the October 1920 issue of Delineator.
Instant Postum magazine ad found on the back cover of the October 1920 issue of Delineator.

Three ingredients: roasted wheat bran, wheat and molasses.

Postum was developed by C. W. Post, the Grape-Nuts guy. 

It’s baaaack! 

Owl fun facts!

Continue reading