In today’s society, the mere mention of a bomb on a social networking hub could have the police knocking on your door. The term “terrorist threat” is held by loose standards as children and young adults could face jail time for inappropriate comments made to friends in jest. Would this kind of behavior been worthy of so much attention in the 1950s? When you look back at Cold War memorabilia, it seemed more like the populace accepted the possible future with a lighter heart.
Facts over Entertainment
Although public service announcements were revered by the populace in order to enlighten those about how to conduct themselves during a wartime scenario, the messages seemed to be more entwined with a relaxed motif. While the messages were important, they seemed to be more geared towards providing useful information as opposed to fear mongering that some television corporations thrive on. Back in those times, ratings were not what they are today. When you watch any news broadcast in today’s world, it feels more like entertainment than providing facts. In some cases, the facts are even in question.
No Fear Mongering There…
Billboards of the 1950s were of a different allure as well. While many were advertising bomb shelters to be built on your property, there was more of a salesman’s pitch than a sense of urgency. The images and fonts were that which would give the sense that the company could have been selling anything. Instead of using images and styles to inspire fear to drive sales, these companies appealed to the same decency as if they were to sell a refrigerator. Although the threat of nuclear war was very real to millions of people, there was more of a “used car lot” feel to the advertisements of yesteryear.
Preying on the Innocence of Today
The marketing aspects of today are much different than they were in the 1950s. Most designers are preying on the emotional attachment that images and even font styles can instill in a person to make the sale. Instead of the “this is what it is” approach to marketing, people now rely more on “this is why you absolutely need it” frame of mind.
1950s: Sure, a bomb shelter can protect your family.
Now: You absolutely need one of these in order to protect your family from turning into the grotesque visage of living decomposition that could happen after the fallout.
Smile, You’re Selling Bomb Shelters!
Regardless of what was being sold in the 1950s, everyone seemed to have a smile. This was truly the only driving point that would make people want to own whatever it was in the magazine. Everyone wants to be happy and grinning ear-to-ear as you swim in your private pool that came with your personalized bomb shelter could make you that happy. It wasn’t about sexualization of half-naked women sitting in the bleachers of a sports park seductively eating a cheeseburger. It was simple happiness; a far simpler moment than what the world has evolved into in a relatively short amount of time.
As time continues to wind around the clock, things continue to change as trends evolve from one to another. As the difference in the past half of a century has evolved, so will they continue. What kind of marketing do you suspect will be around in 2050 – nearly one hundred years after the Cold War?
This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12 @ gmail. com.
