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Advertising 1930-1945

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This era was defined by hard times. Families faced the Great Depression and then World War Two, and the luxury goods of the 20s seemed less appropriate purchases.

A common type of ad during this time was a straightforward mention of prices. This method was uncommon before hard times hit America.

This ad from September 10, 1936 shows buyers exactly what they will need to spend to purchase clothing it displays.

Another trend in advertising from this period persuaded women to abandon previous methods of housework for electronically enhanced work. They claimed that women with washing machines and electric dishwashers were free to spend more time as they chose.

This ad from December 5, 1943 belittles the wash chores of earlier decades and asks modern women to free themselves from the senseless chore of manual laundry.

 

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Look at the ads from the 1930s and 1940s. What budget-conscious ads do you see in this time period? Do any ads from the 1930s sell new technology?

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