Advertising and the Arc of History™

In any era, advertising is a compelling window on the economy and society. You can see this for yourself in my exhibit of admirable print ads since 1890. I call it Advertising and the Arc of History.™

Using Pinterest, I've organized more than 300 print ads with a "board" for each decade. Each decade begins with a brief narrative about the economy, technology, and society. Read them and see how the ads inform you about the direction of the times.

See the personal imperative in this 1919 Oreo cookie ad as the archetypal woman of the post WWI era uses the latest technology to call her neighborhood grocer with her delivery order.

Follow the arc of history all the way through to our current decade to see how personal imperative gives way to themes of equality, sustainability, and new ways of thinking about what self-realization can be. This 2011 Peace Corps ad exemplifies the arc.

Read my introduction for the site, and be sure to note the brief narratives on the economy, technology and society of each decade.

Once you have made this journey, you will realize the centrality of advertising as an indicator of who we are and where we are going.

Take this link to go directly to my Pinterest exhibit named AdmirableAds.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

     Copyright © 2013 by John Eighmey. All Rights Reserved.