Readers, what I find amazing in my research is that there are quite a number of companies and products still in existence that were around during Emmett’s time.

First off, the Cola Wars were alive and well:

Pepsi ad from The Pensacola Journal, 1909.

Coca-Cola, also from The Pensacola Journal, 1909.

As were the Fountain Pen Wars:

Waterman’s is still around, alive and well. From McClure’s, September 1915.

Parker’s Fountain Pens. From McClure’s, September 1915.

I always wondered how those ‘self-filling’ pens worked.

I remember my grandfather had one of these fountain pens. He used to tell me how he ruined many a shirt by sticking the pen in his breast pocket when he was in a hurry. Emmett probably did the same thing. 🙂

Got a flat? Shredded Wheat to the rescue! McClure’s Magazine, September 1915.

I thought this was a novel marketing approach! The ad goes on to say, even though Shredded Wheat can’t fix your flat, at least you’ll have the stamina to get the job done, or, to hike back the five miles to the nearest garage or neighbor’s house, where you can get help!

Here’s an interesting ad about Westinghouse, which started in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company:

Westinghouse Fans. From McClure’s Magazine, July 1915

My dad worked for Westinghouse for many years, starting in the 1960s. Westinghouse is a different company nowadays; the focus is more on nuclear power, and it is controlled by Toshiba. Still, it is another brand that continues today.

Cosmopolitan Magazine ad, from McClure’s Magazine, July 1915.

The last item for Throwback Thursday is about a product that still exists but is in a surprisingly different format nowadays: Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Back in Emmett’s day, Cosmopolitan was more of a literary magazine; definitely not like the one you see at the supermarket checkout stands today. That is what was a surprise to me!

One of my favorite writers on the staff of Cosmopolitan back then was David Graham Phillips.

He was considered the James A. Michener of his day. Phillips wrote very popular novels that addressed women’s issues in a world where their ‘place’ in society was being rapidly redefined. (I’ve read almost every one of his books, by the way — they are available free on Google Books).

Phillips’ most important work for Cosmopolitan, though, was an article called “The Treason of the Senate,” which uncovered a campaign contributions scandal. The end result helped lead to the passage of the 17th Amendment: Popular instead of state-legislature appointment of senators.

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In closing, here’s one more ad you won’t seen on the shelves today. The product name made me laugh.

It would be sent to your home in a plain, brown wrapper. It was also probably 20 percent alcohol. McClure’s Magazine, July 1915.

Happy Throwback Thursday, everyone!

Categories: Recommended Sources Research Status

jsmith532

Professor,
Communication, Arts, and the Humanities
The University of Maryland Global Campus