It's the washer that thinks it's a dryer! No, it's the dryer that thinks it's a washer!

There are numerous ads for washers and for dryers, sold by numerous obscure manufacturers, in the early fifties Good Housekeeping magazines I've been reading lately. I had never heard of this brand (although when I Googled it I got lots of hits).

This washer/dryer combo is certainly more modern and user-friendly than the washers with wringer attachments that were still being marketed back then. Now, if it also removed the dried clothes from itself and hung them up for me, I'd be impressed.

I certainly didn't select this ad for comment for this reason, but dang, look at that little girl in her undies, waiting for her dress to dry. It should be an entirely innocent image, and no doubt it was for its day... and no doubt I've been warped by living in a subsequent era where innocence seems to exist only to be defiled. but no manufacturer would dare publish such an ad today.

New Diana-style Youngstown Kitchens

Can you imagine the horrified reaction of an HGTV designer at the sight of this ad? NO pricey granite counters or sleek high-end wood cabinets in sight here --just acres of (nohhhhh!) shiny white enamel and shiny laminate.

The first kitchen I remember had cabinets very similar to these, and a bright red shiny counter rimmed with metal edges, though, so this ad made me feel nostalgic. Maybe this combination will even be back in style one day!*

This ad is a good example of the copywriting style that I've noticed is so prevalent in early fifties' women's magazines. It is intimate - loaded with "you's" and "yours" - chatty, and almost breathlessly enthusiastic. Italics get a real workout in these ads.

It's tough to picture a stereotypical cynical, booze-guzzling, cigarette smoke-shrouded ad man coming up with such peppy verbiage. Because despite the use of such an arresting adjective as revolutionary in this ad - it's a homey, domestic image under cultivation here.

*About 600 million years after the next nuclear holocaust wipes the granite countertop, luxury kitchen cabinet, and stainless steel appliance industries off the face of the earth first.