SkilTools, 1947
Mad Skils
Unabashedly and unashamedly industrial, this 1947 catalog. Aimed at men who get things done. Continue reading Mad Skils
SkilTools, 1947
Sears, 1917
“Our popular priced home vibrator”
In case there were any body parts, you know, which need to be vibrated… Continue reading “Our popular priced home vibrator”
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
Sears, 1954
Getting overheated over a Coldspot
In catalogs, major kitchen appliances can make women literally dance with joy. This housewife is doing the tarantella with a strawberry shortcake thanks to her Coldspot… Continue reading Getting overheated over a Coldspot
Montgomery Ward, 1936
(No Longer) Made in America
On the back page of this 1936 Wards Catalog you find a proud boast of the number of products which were made in America. Half the items in the catalog were made just in the western half of the USA…. Continue reading (No Longer) Made in America
Sears Roebuck, 1980
Get Me Clark Kent!
Sears Roebuck, Spring/Summer 1980 I don't know why, but this page looks to me like Sears has called on Clark Kent to model their 1980 menswear separates. Hmmm. OK, yes, definite resemblance. Christopher Reeve's Clark Kent is a bit nerdier, but it's there. Superman the Movie had just come out in the winter of 1978, … Continue reading Get Me Clark Kent!
Niresk Industries, 1960
Stuff
Looking at this Niresk catalog, I’m reminded of the late comic George Carlin’s genius observations on “stuff.” Most of the stuff in this 1960 Niresk catalog is, just…well…cheap stuff. And this stuff has stuff stuffed into it, no less. Continue reading Stuff
Sears, 1932
How the other half pooped.
In 1930 well over a third of American houses didn’t even have a flush toilet, according to some estimates. Continue reading How the other half pooped.
Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, 1929
“Frost-browned heather seen through the purplish haze of a sunny afternoon”
You might just say “This is a brown sink.” Obviously you’re not a 1920s copywriter besotted with the romance of porcelain bathroom appliances… Continue reading “Frost-browned heather seen through the purplish haze of a sunny afternoon”
S&H Green Stamps, 1981
“For the Hostess…Bright Kitchen Wares”
All this glistening copper (glistening until you put your fingerprints all over it, anyway) is a quintessentially 1980s thing, and so is the layout of the product photography… Continue reading “For the Hostess…Bright Kitchen Wares”