Apr 10
It takes less time to travel this section of freeway than it takes to read about it. If you want to see the before picture click here. The Telegram-Tribune of March 25, 1952 carried the story: WORK STARTS ON S.L.O. FREEWAY Big Crossing Structures Come First Construction started today on the first of several freeway …
Apr 06
A little over 60 years ago there was a lot happening in San Luis Obispo. One storm had brought a dusting of snow and another had brought flooding. Atmospheric atomic weapons tests in Nevada were lighting the night sky and the freeway and Atascadero State Hospital were under construction. A smiling U.S. Senator Richard Nixon …
Apr 04
Spinning through microfilm from 1952 the photographer holding a Speed Graphic camera caught my eye. This was the workhorse camera for press photographers almost from the time it was invented in 1912. According to Wikipedia the camera helped photographers win the Pulitzer Prize from 1942-54 and even won in the category as late as 1961. …
Mar 08
This ad was a reminder to some adults of the 1950s to recall childhood. It skips over a key point. Before people could have refrigerators, utility lines had to be installed to houses. Very often the utility company bought advertising to expand the franchise as you can see from this 1907 ad. Gas stoves and …
Jul 29
There aren’t may left. Most of the little local hardware stores have been absorbed by the big box home improvement and national superstores. No weekend is complete without a trip to the hardware store; I even made 4 trips during my vacation. O.K. I may have a problem. This advertisement from June 6, 1957 for …
Jul 13
It is a bad sign when a car company can’t agree on how to spell its own name in an advertisement. Is there a space in between De Soto or not? This ad from March 12, 1957 has it both ways. The company was founded as a mid-price brand by Walter Chrysler with the first …
Jun 15
So, it’s the end of the week. Time to set down the camera and flashbulb and try to find a can opener. This ad is a parade of dead technology, tin can without a pull tab, metal screw top film can, flash bulb, film camera. I’m not sure how they filled the glass, perhaps they …
Jun 13
Why is the screaming head such a durable image in advertising? Why is it such an eye stopper? Seeing is more than absorbing raw visual data. It is sensory reasoning, distinguishing faces from the background, identifying features and expressions. Upwards of 30% of the brain is devoted to decoding the world around us. Yet for …
Apr 16
How old is the Geodesic Dome in Poly Canyon and how much did it cost? The structure has weathered rain, wind, earthquakes and grazing cattle over the years and still is an inspiration when you visit it. It has survived better than newer structures in the canyon now being restored or allowed to fall to …
Apr 09
Happy Jack’s bar is at the left as workers use poles to keep the equipment from snagging on utility lines. The explosive growth in California after World War II put a strain on utilities to keep up with demand. The power plant in Morro Bay was one of several new electric generation facilities that PG&E …
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