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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: Higher Tech

Build-it-yourself Computers
Posted on March 11, 2019April 2, 2019

Southwest Technical Products, 1978
Build-it-yourself Computers

“Hmmmph – kids today! Why, when I was your age and we wanted a computer, we had to build it ourself. None of them fancy fruit stores to take your money. You ordered the computer from a catalog, then get out the ole’ soldering iron and put it together! Continue reading Build-it-yourself Computers

High Fidelity Art Deco
Posted on February 4, 2019February 4, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1935
High Fidelity Art Deco

Who is this Grecian goddess? Who is her girlfriend? Why is this radio literally on a pedestal, looking like a cross between a Greek Temple and an Art Deco skyscraper? Continue reading High Fidelity Art Deco

The Trouble with Tech
Posted on December 20, 2018December 19, 2018

Sears, 1992
The Trouble with Tech

Who doesn’t love the idea of getting the latest tech as a holiday gift? And yet… Continue reading The Trouble with Tech

Highest Fidelity. Lowest Prices.
Posted on November 1, 2018

Spear & Company, 1932
Highest Fidelity. Lowest Prices.

What happened here? The pages from this 1932 Spear catalog are absolutely accurate – they really ARE selling a $175 top-of-the-line phonograph for 30 bucks… Continue reading Highest Fidelity. Lowest Prices.

When Boxes Boomed
Posted on September 27, 2018September 26, 2018

Sears, 1987
When Boxes Boomed

Behold that mighty marvel of miniaturization: two speakers, cassette tape recorder, AM FM radios, equalizer – the Boom Box. Continue reading When Boxes Boomed

“Breaker-Breaker One-Nine”
Posted on August 23, 2018August 22, 2018

Lafayette Radio Electronics, 1968
“Breaker-Breaker One-Nine”

One era’s common knowledge is another era’s “Hunh?” If you’re under 30, what could you tell me about the gadget pictured on the back cover of this catalog? Continue reading “Breaker-Breaker One-Nine”

The Miracle of Photos in a Minute
Posted on July 26, 2018July 25, 2018

Montgomery Ward, 1953
The Miracle of Photos in a Minute

“Take pictures and see them completely finished in only 1 minute – if it isn’t just the way you want, shoot another one immediately.” Continue reading The Miracle of Photos in a Minute

Build your own “Computor”
Posted on June 21, 2018

Heathkit, 1956
Build your own “Computor”

You could build a computer way back in 1956 if you were so inclined! The EC-1 came from Heathkit, and it resembles a modern computer in name only… Continue reading Build your own “Computor”

When Camera Meant Kodak
Posted on May 14, 2018

Sears, 1931
When Camera Meant Kodak

Once upon a time, and for a very long period of time, you could use the word “Kodak” as either a noun or a verb and folks knew exactly what you meant. That’s how ubiquitous the brand was in the days of analog, film-based photography… Continue reading When Camera Meant Kodak

Furniture that Plays Music
Posted on April 19, 2018April 18, 2018

Allied Radio, 1937
Furniture that Plays Music

Today, the trend is to hide our complex media electronics away. Build the TV set into the wall. Hide the electronics in a closet. In 1937, though, people were proud of their investment in technology, and didn’t hide it…. Continue reading Furniture that Plays Music

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We're celebrating all the abundance and excitement found in vintage 20th century American catalogs: the exotic, the fashionable, the surprising, the latest, the coolest, the cheapest, the oddest, the choices.

Not just Sears and Montgomery Wards, You could buy anything from a catalog in the 20th century: from a box of raisins to a house, from a computer to a car, from a billy club to an inflatable brassiere. The old-time printed catalogues which arrived in the mailbox showed the 20th-century American Consumer just how to consume.

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