Synopses & Reviews
With the consumerist euphoria of the fifties still going strong and the race to the moon at its height, the mood of advertising in the sixties was cheerful, optimistic, and at times, revolutionary. The decade's ads touted perceived progress (such as tang and instant omelets "just add water") while striving to reinforce good old American values.
Stars like Sean Connery, Woody Allen, Salvador Dalí, and Sammy Davis Jr. endorsed everything from bourbon to handmade suits in an attempt by Madison Avenue to urge Americans to open their wallets and participate in one giant consumer binge. Social change at the end of the era brought psychedelic swirls and liberated women and minorities to a newly conscious public. Keep an eye out for some of the more surprising and controversial ads-such as Tupperware billing its storage container as a "wifesaver."
From forgotten cars such as the Dodge Dart, to cigarettes ("This Christmas give cartons of Luckies") to food (mmm! TV dinners!) and much more, this colorful collection of print ads explores the wide, wonderful world of 60s Americana.
Synopsis
3-8228-1159-9$39.99 / Taschen America LLC
Synopsis
As McCarthyism swept across the United States and capitalism was king, white America enjoyed a feeling of pride and security that was reflected in advertising. Carelessly flooding society with dangerous misinformation, companies in the 50s promoted everything from vacations in Las Vegas, where guests could watch atomic bombs detonate, to cigarettes as healthy mood-enhancers, promoted by a baby who claims his mother feels better after she smokes a Marlboro.
In this 25th anniversary special edition, you'll find ads for cars, travel, technology, liquor, cigarettes, movies, appliances, furniture, war bonds, toothpaste, you name it—the full spectrum of products and services available to the eager American consumer. These ads portray an accurate picture of the colorful capitalism that dominated the spirit of the 50s. Bursting with fresh, crisp colors, these ads have been digitally mastered to look as bright and new as the day they first hit the newsstands.
About the Author
About the editor:
Cultural anthropologist and graphic design historian Jim Heimann is Executive Editor for TASCHEN America, and author of numerous books on architecture, pop culture, and the history of the West Coast, Los Angeles, and Hollywood. His unrivaled private collection of ephemera has been featured in museum exhibitions around the world and dozens of books.
Table of Contents
Alcohol & tobacco -- Automobiles -- Business & industry -- Consumer products -- Entertainment -- Fashion & beauty -- Food & beverage -- Furniture & appliances -- Travel.