Questionable Advice & Advertisements

~ The Furniture Trade Review and Interior Decorator, 1895
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“Makes fifteen pieces of furniture; two hundred changes of position.”

~ Finish dishwashing powder, Sunset magazine, March 1958
via Flickr
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“…developed specifically for people who stress perfection over price”

~ The Woman’s Manual, Aurora Reed, 1916
via Harvard University, Schlesinger Library

~ Miller’s New York As It Is; or Stranger’s Guide-Book to the Cities of New York, Brooklyn and Adjacent Places: Comprising Notices of Every Object of Interest to Strangers, by James Miller, 1865
via Internet Archive
(click to enlarge)

~ The Chicago Blue Book, 1908
via Internet Archive
(click to enlarge)

“The Electric Corn Popper is a revelation”

~ The Woman’s Manual, by Aurora Reed, 1916 
via Harvard University Library

~ The Furniture Trade Review and Interior Decorator, 1895
(click to enlarge)

“A woman can unlock and open any door by simply placing her foot on the front lever. The added cost of the refrigerator is trifling compared with its convenience.”

~ G.E.C. Bride’s Iron ad, 1954
via Grace’s Guide
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“No radio or television interference…either for you or your neighbors.”

~ Good Housekeeping, 1917
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~ Red Star washer, March 1921
via Grace’s Guide
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“You can rely on this machine. … It has no Bolshevik notions, makes no exorbitant demands.”

~ The Guest’s Handy-Book and Guide to Prominent Points of Interest in New York, Complete with Street Directory, Business Landmarks, and Official Time Tables of Express Trains on Leading Railroads Out of New York (Entertaining, Readable, Valuable & Necessary POCKET DIRECTORY for Visitors and Residents); Hotel Publishing and Advertising Co., 1886


“No accidental fires can occur by their use, as they are NON-EXPLOSIVE.”

~ ad for electricity, Design for Today magazine, December 1933
via Flickr
(click to enlarge)

“Are you using electricity? - or only electric light.”

~ The Toronto and Hamilton Society Blue Book, 1902
via internet archive
(click to enlarge)

“No Back Breaking Contortions Necessary”

~ Souvenir of Daytonia, 1896 (Dayton, OH)
via internet archive
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“You cannot explode it!”

~ The Pacific Monthly, vol. 12 July-January 1909
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“If you would know more about the wonders of Vacuum Cleaning send for this book.”