Sunday, July 3, 2011

A Grim Reminder From 1958: Stay Safe on July Fourth!


This full page ad promoting a safe July 4 holiday appeared on Thursday, July 3, 1958 in the Lorain Journal. (Click on it so you can read it.)

It's kind of creepy ad, befitting the 1950's era of teenage monster flicks. The Grim Reaper hovers over a young couple, roaring along in their tail-finned speedster. (I like the lookalike skull pendant that the Reaper wears around his neck – a nice touch!)

The safety tips still apply today, although the 'DON'T Swim after eating, ever!" art is mildly amusing, with the young man about to take a bite out of his hamburger as he distractedly eyeballs a diving cutie. Does the ad insinuate that he's going to quickly chow down and then – in violation of safety rules – join her in the pool? (Click here for an amusing explanation on the whole 'wait an hour after eating' rule.)

Be sure to click on the ad so you can read a veritable Who's Who of Lorain businesses from 1958!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

-Alan D Hopewell, posting from the drought-scourged wasteland that is Texas....
I remember that ad, especially being given the willies by the Grim Reaper. I was two, teaching myself how to read with the help of the Journal.

It was cool, seeing the names of those long-gone businesses.