MARTIN AIRCRAFT At War In 1943

It was easy for a manufacturer of airplanes to run an ad during World War II. They were obviously part of the war effort. This ad is from the November 1943 National Geographic.

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I will give you some ads this week that didn't have it as easy as Martin Aircraft. In fact I'd say one company was nearly pulling at loose threads in order to show they were doing their part. But more of that tomorrow.

NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD in 1943

I would have loved this ad as a child because of the miniature people and the fact that they showed a whole little world inside the train. Okay, it reminds me of the little buildings a friend and I used to build in tiny boxes. Take the lid off and a whole tiny world was inside. But this nonsense is not why I'm posting this vintage ad.

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Another World War II ad from the November 1943 National Geographic. This ad is full of war time talk including the apparent need to remind customers to be polite and not steal. Oh, and Buy War Bonds.

The New York Central is no more. To read the history of this railroad click here.

MILWAUKEE RAILROAD During World War II

Is this ad corporate propaganda? I think we can figure out what's going on here without reading the text, but the text does add more color. Try to imagine a large corporation running an ad like this today? The idea that through their efforts the enemy is being killed. I don't recall seeing any defense contractors going to the general public with this message today. They don't need our approval. They've got representatives bought and paid for. I think they'd rather we not know how they are profiting from the wars.

The nation was different in World War II. The citizens were united in one effort. Not today. From today's perspective I find this ad unnerving. Perhaps in 1943 I'd have felt different. I don't know. I have a hard time demonizing a group of people instead of just individuals.

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To read a brief history about the now defunct Milwaukee Road click here.

BELL AND HOWELL During World War II

Keeping with the theme from yesterday about companies advertising their products during World War II, even if they weren't available to the general public due to rationing, I give you Bell and Howell. The copy is pretty interesting. Try to imagine a company saying this to customers today.

From the November 1943 National Geographic.

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To read an interesting bit of history about the use of Bell and Howell cameras during WWII go to The World at War.