Perspective on Life as seen from a 100+ year old time capsule :: National Geographic - Volume XXX, Number VI - December 1916 (Part 1 - Introduction & Ads)
Greetings Steemit,
Tucked away on the end of a bookshelf in my home are several special copies of The National Geographic Magazine. Originally belonging to my Grandmother on my Father's side of the family, these items date from December 1916 to September 1919.
I vividly remember thumbing through them as a child when my family would travel out of state to visit Grandma & Grandpa for the holidays, though always under Adult supervision, as they were respected for their prominence, as well as the educational content that was fascinating to my nerdy childhood brain.
Having been in my possession since 2003, I've really only flipped through them once or twice. In doing so I was actually really surprised in seeing how similar people's 'day to day' life seemed back then, despite my brain assuming that existing 100+ years ago must seem prehistoric compared to today's living conditions.
Wherever the chips may fall on that line of questioning - if nothing else - these items provide a written & photographic perspective that acts as a valid time capsule of sorts, and I've been meaning to flip back through them for several months now.. and decided to take you all along with me!
So if you enjoy History, Photography, or Cultural Anthropology / Sociology - this post may be relevant to your interests. Should you all enjoy this post & I notice a positive response - I'l be happy to continue the line of posting as a series, until I run out of issues to feature.
Beginning with the oldest copy I own, here's a small glimpse of history and my impressions of what we find within these readings... presented for your Saturday enjoyment!
December 1916
Volume XXX, Number VI
The cover has obviously faded over the years, and yet it holds a faint Yellowed border that is still used and recognizable in today's branding. Featured Story for this edition: "Lonely Australia - The Unique continent". Counter Price is 25 cents a copy, $2.50 for annual subscription.
At a time when no Satellites, Internet, or Television has even been invented - I have to assume that the continent of Australia did seem as foreign of a land as you could get for most of the American based readers.
Even though in Black & White - the pictures in these issues must have been like seeing life on another Planet, in some sense, as the reader would have no viable mental imprint as to what those cultural differences looked like.. until photographers started to venture those far away lands, with those heavy ass cameras, and document the experience there.
Pages 1 & 2 - Table of contents & a Goodyear Tire ad.
So upon opening the first page, I see a familiar brand name that is still prevalent in my society today, despite this printing being over a Hundred years old!
As far as expecting to see something 'primitive', I'm greeted by product that although seems really funny looking by today's standard (Skinny tires are Skinny!), it is a product that even I've purchased in my lifetime.
I love the verbiage and semantics used in the ad, which reads:
"The Sum of Tire Virtue. All that extreme flexibility in a tire can mean - in reduced engine effort, lower gasoline cost and greater comfort - is delivered by Goodyear Cord Tires. All that extreme strength can mean - in lower mileage, greater security and sounder economy - is delivered also. Goodyear Cord Tires are the sum of tire virtue, from whatever standpoint you view them. The canvas tire has not been made that can approach the efficiency of their construction, nor the rival tire that can claim a level with their quality. They hold by downright excellence their commanding position as the superior tire of America."
That sounds like one Fancy-ass tire! You'll notice the difference in how they used to market products, and yet it also seems all very familiar.. in some sense.
Pages 3 & 4 - A Giant Encyclopedia Britannica ad.
With the flip of a page - we're met with another still familiar brand - that of an Encyclopedia series that is still in publication today. Although spelled "Encyclopaedia" in the ad, these books pretty much were the Internet of their day, and could be yours for the low low price of "Only $1 down and $3 a month!"
Using the 'Supply & Demand' method of creating immediate interest - the ad boasts:
"We are publishing this advertisement as a warning that if you want the Encylopaedia Britannica printed on genuine India paper, you must buy it within a short time. If we warned you that your fire insurance policy was about to expire, you would be quick to renew it. You must also be quick if you would secure the Britannica, which is insurance against ignorance."
Damn - I'm not sure if they're trying to help me, scare me, or insult me! I better buy quickly, just to be safe!
Pages 5 & 6 - Ads for "The Pullman Company" and "Nordyke & Marmon Company"
Here's a pair of ads for companies I've never heard of before, and would have to assume are defunct.
The first is for the Pullman Company - which seems to be a business that builds passenger cars for railway travel companies.
The second, a direct competitor of sorts named the Nordyke & Marmon Company, which is an automobile manufacturer boasting about its "Scientific principles of construction and the extensive use of aluminum".
It's interesting to me that the publishers would list these competing travel technologies across from each other. Again, I feel that somewhat speaks to the mindset of the time period.
The Next Several Pages - Lots of Ads for Old Businesses.
Speaking about what was 'new & exciting' as far technology goes as of this printing... it was pretty much all about Automobiles. You'll notice lots of ads for both cars & car accessories.
Perhaps unsurprisingly so, it happens to almost be the exact same scenario in today's society. I enjoy these ads, so I'll include them in the post for anyone else who does also.
Take note of the product pairings - crazy low, low prices - as well as the period piece sales verbiage used.
This page is selling Luggage, Birdhouses, and Books.
"The Gambler" - I love this one for some reason... it's probably the hat.
Back when the company was called "Dodge Brothers" instead of just "Dodge".
Specifically presented for the "Arrested Development" Fan.
On this page there are three ads. Two of the ads are selling Monetary Investment services. In case that doesn't pan out for ya... Tombstones!
One more ad, then the Cover Story is presented as the first article in the issue.
Ivory Soap is another familiar brand that is still on local store shelves today.
Just like in today's magazines, after pages upon pages of ads, we actually get to the content.
Once again, we see a familiar method of ad bombardment at play, which I wasn't necessarily expecting in reflection, despite even having read these before.
I've recently really been enjoying taking the thoughts that are firing within my mind, and typing them out in a a Steemit.com based 'Submit a Story' window. As seen in my Steemit based 'About' window, I usually share Music, Drone, & Podcast based original content... this new 'Blogging' method leaves me feeling like a noob writer in some sense... and I'm thankful to have discovered its outlet.
If you've happened to also enjoy these ramblings - stay tuned for Part 2, in which we'll get into the long awaited feature story after all those great previews beforehand entitled:
"Lonely Australia - The Unique continent"
Cheers Steemit!
~GiftedGaia
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This is wonderful, and unexpected. I really do love posts like this... If came to your house and visited with you, you might have pulled this off the shelf and showed it to me.
Thanks to steemit, I felt like I just spent a portion of an afternoon flipping through this book with you. Thanks for that experience. Well done!
My favorite part was the $1 down, and $3/month -- Gee they were even doing credit back then... I wish credit was never invented, it just spirals out of control.
Used to own a bunch of these books from back to then too!
Cool book review! Would love to see the rest of the issues review in a similar way
This post has received a 0.90 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @giftedgaia.