May 31
What do you think of when the phrase “Sea-Ho Swim Suits” comes up? Do you think it is word play on the phrase “Land Ho!” or do you think it is the misogynistic lyric from an seafaring rap star? How comfortable do you think men’s wool swim trunks were? All I can say is the …
May 20
How can you make photography any easier than this? One camera makes instant prints. An electric eye, electronic shutter and image-sizer with viewfinder frame. Not sure what any of that does but it sure sounds cool, especially when you put it in the Professional-type carrying case. Another costs less and loads easily with flash cubes …
May 10
Southern Pacific Railroad did not often apologize but in 1942 they ran a series of ads explaining the changes on the line. As World War II increased demands for moving troops and material across the country the road had to make choices. They explained that the old timetables would not be followed. Victory Trains now …
Apr 29
Now that spring seems to be on the way it may be time to pick up some back yard furniture. A folding grill for less than $4.00, three different kinds of pools, priced from $3.77 to $88. Time to head to Grants and pick up what appear to be essential and long lasting items. Grant …
Apr 19
I can’t imagine how uncomfortable this must have been, a full upper plate of 1875 dentures. Advertisement for Dr. N.W. Shaug dentist from Feb. 6, 1875. Published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
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 20
Easter fashion for women at the dawn of the 20th century included flowery hats and high collared dresses as seen in this advertisement from a San Luis Obispo store. I am told by informed fashion sources that a shirt waist is a blouse that in that era would typically be worn over an uncomfortable whale …
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 …
Mar 05
One of the oddities in the all advertising front page of the Tribune Feb. 6, 1875 was this vertical sailing ship. Either it is riding a really big wave or perhaps the ship is sailing south from the equator. More likely the engraving was made too wide for one column. Harriman & Co. had industriously …
Feb 25
When the Daily Telegram was founded in 1905 it was a temperance newspaper. It never lost an opportunity to scold readers on the evils of drink. Here the editors typeset a quote from one of the beloved icons of history and tried to bend it to to their cause. A quick google search did not …
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