Exploring American Histories: Printed Page 662
The 1920s boom in the production of household goods posed a challenge for business marketers and advertisers. They had to convince consumers that items once regarded as luxuries were now necessities that would improve their lives. Many of these advertisements were directed at women who, as housewives, managed the family budget and made the purchases. The General Electric Company played a leading role in winning women over to buying their products.
Why do women need “first aid” in the kitchen?
What do the items in the refrigerator reveal about food and consumer expectations in the 1920s?
How does this ad use the authority of science to persuade consumers?
Put It in Context
What does this ad convey about the role of women in the 1920s?