50's & 60's TV Commercials

Television - entertainment for the home BUT not without commercials! How producers come up with the zany ideas they do is beyond me. Do you find it interesting how the most stupid commercials are those most remembered? Are such antics truly indicative of average human being behavior? They do make one wonder!

How did it all get started, this advertising, this marketing, this let me show you what I've got? Buy this, buy that, buy, buy, buy...buy one, I'll give you two...heck, buy one and I'll throw in another along with this, this, this, and this. Just BUY it!

Embrace the Past
 

It is really interesting how it all got started. Actually it began with the term broadcasting. According to the dictionary, broadcasting is a "transmission to multiple, unspecified recipients." In other words, it is a means of getting the word out to the masses. The first broadcasting was originally developed as a means for companies to sell radios. That's right, SELL radios. 


Of course, once the commercial entities discovered almost every household listened to the radio every day, you know what came next!

If one has to choose a single event that began the era of radio broadcasting, it would probably be the radio program broadcast by station WEAF in New York City on August 28, 1922 This was a ten-minute advertisement for suburban apartment housing. By Christmas of that year, several major New York department stores joined the fray and were running advertisements for their stores.

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And, it did not stop with the radio. From radio broadcasting evolved the television commercials once telecasting really took hold in 1948. 

After study and many surveys, the advertising agencies determined that the most effective way to reach consumers with a strong message would be by creating shows that featured a single product or a line of products from a single company. From this concept arose the typical television shows of the 1950's including such titles as Kraft Television Theater, Colgate Comedy Hour, and Coke Time. As with radio, these television programs were produced by advertising agencies for their clients rather than the studios as is common practice currently.

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Ever heard of Bosco syrup, Fluffo, Ovaltine or Tang? Step back in time to the black and white TV commercials of the 50s and 60s. 

As Seen on TV, 1950s

The visual culture of everyday American life

came alive in the many, infamous television series of the fifties.

Artful everyday occurrences became vibrant household happenings,
"as seen on TV." 

Broader communication appeared

As television overran the home

Young people watched TV then chatted

Whizzing around the town like a drone

First Electronic Television 1927

If you saw it on the television 

Was it ever considered absurd?

Idealism, “As Seen on TV” 

   Readily became a household word 

You Are There made history clear

What sort of day was it, gray or fair?

A day, anytime, anywhere

Portrayed as live…and you were there

Like Dorothy witnessing Oz

Dull grab broadcasts became colorcast

Technicolor reds, greens, and blues

Made black and white a thing of the past

 

Sitcoms became each day’s major theme

With The Honeymooners, Father Knows Best 

Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet 

And I Love Lucy all passing time’s test

Classic kitchen scene from "The Honeymooners"

Variety shows aired on Sunday evenings

Brought Disneyland and the Ed Sullivan Show 

“Soap Operas” like Guiding Light with its major ads

Kept housewives in the know and on the go

The Edward R. Murrow radio show 

His claim to fame “Hear It Now”

On TV changed to “See It Now”

And to David Brinkley we bow

Edward R. Murrow

David Brinkley

 ©2012 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults