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Ingvar Kamprad, 1926-2018 The founder of Ikea has died. Sweden’s Ingvar Kamprad was 91. His plain appearance and message of comfortably-lived simplicity belied a seriously complicated person, which is probably to be expected from someone who could create, grow, and manage a company the size of Ikea. He invented it, while the rest of us … Continue reading Ingvar Kamprad, 1926-2018
The company that made them has been out of business now for more than 2 decades, but within the film industry and some theatrical circles, the term “Klieg Light” is still familiar jargon. Klieg(l) lights were (are) the powerfully bright spotlights and floodlights used for film studio work and stage productions… Continue reading “Who knocked the 'L' out of Kliegl?”
Ever wonder where the Coyote bought his ACME products? Possibly from Sears. An “Acme Ventiduct” certainly sounds like a product he would order to catch the Roadrunner… Continue reading High Style and High Heat
In 1925 the Charles Williams Stores could put everything that plugged into an electrical outlet onto a single page of their annual catalog – one page out of 538. That’s all they needed. Continue reading Live Better Electrically
1934 might be the middle of America’s Great Depression, but pages of this Sears catalog were doing their best to cheer up the reader. The exuberant riot of colors and patterns on this page would lift anybody’s spirits…. Continue reading Depression? What Depression?
Now they’re basically a punch line among failed music formats, but in 1971 8 track tapes were a seriously groovy audio source. Most people bought prerecorded music, but your cold roll your own thanks to home recording decks… Continue reading When 8 tracks were better than 1
In 1958, Ward’s introduced new washers and dryers in that most mid-century of colors – pink. Their new washers are “so truly automatic that you’ll spend only 5 minutes of your own time to wash and dry a full 8 lb family load”…
Continue reading Start The New Year In The Pink
“We do not handle anything but wearing apparel for Women, Misses, and Children, and on this account we think we are better equipped than any other Mail Order House we know of to furnish you with clothing best suited to your individual needs.” That includes winter pajamas. Continue reading “…just settled down for a long winter’s nap”
Just look at this early Sears Christmas Wish Book from 1937, and note how clear is the dividing line between the sexes. Children were given unmistakeable guidance about their roles in life… Continue reading Christmas Toys for Girls, and Boys
This 1961 Christmas catalog from Neiman Marcus, the Texas based luxury department store didn't have His and Hers gifts or a Cessna airplane like the previous year's edition. But it did have luxury in abundance… Continue reading Platinum, Diamonds, and Ermine for Christmas
