Colorful capitalism. Ads that read like pulp fiction

World War II brought unprecedented pride and prosperity to the American people and nothing better mirrors the new wave of consumerism and progress than the ads of the time.

From Western Electric communication tools (for "the modern battlefield") to Matsom sea liners ("Toward a Richer Tomorrow") to Seagram's whiskey (for "Men Who Plan Beyond Tomorrow") to the Hoover vacuum ("For every woman who is proud of her home"), the flood of products and services for every occasion or whim was practically endless.

It's hard to believe that the company who made your ultra-compact mobile phone was once advertising portable radios with "Motorola: More radio pleasure for less money," or that Electrolux didn't have any qualms about using Mandy, the portly black maid, to promote their new silent refrigerators: "Lor-dy, it sure is quiet!"

You'll also find some familiar products that, amazingly, haven't changed at all over the years, such as juicy Dole pineapples and wholesome Campbell's soup. Yumm.

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