vintage advertising Archives

Who doesn’t feel a nostalgic pang of adoration when thinking about the classic 1950s kitchen? From the era’s vibrant checkered floor tiling, to the iconic white kitchen appliances (or pink!), these spaces were designed to appeal as well as be efficient for our busy 1950s housewife.

In this blog post we’ll explore thru vintage advertising what those kitchens looked like during that era. Maybe it will inspire you to update your modern day kitchen to a retro one?

Note: This is an extension of a blog post I did in 2021 showcasing ‘Vintage Photos of People in the Kitchen‘.

Let’s begin!

1950s kitchen featuring Pink Appliances.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1950s Vintage Kitchen Advertising

1950 ad for ‘Hotpoint All-Electric Kitchen’. “Saves Time-Saves Steps-Saves Work”

1950s vintage ad: 1950 Hotpoint All-Electric Kitchen.

Source: Etsy- PlentifulPages

“To tranform that old, ugly work-trap kitchen into a modern, step-saving AMERICAN KITCHEN!”. 1951 Ad.

1950s vintage ad for a kitchen renovation from 'American Kitchens' featuring illustrations of 1950s men and women in 1950s kitchens.

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

“World’s Newest Kitchen Ideas – priced right for you!” 1951 Youngstown Kitchens advertisement featuring cabinet ideas, fun colourful countertops and more!

1950s Vintage Advertisement: "World's Newest Kitchen Ideas - priced right for you!" 1951 Youngstown Kitchens advertisement featuring cabinet ideas, fun colourful countertops and more!

Source: eBay

“Make your kitchen look new with these practical walls from Armstrong’s Monowall (maker’s of Armstrong’s Linoleum). 1951 ad.

Further Reading: The Beautiful World of 1940s Linoleum Flooring

1950s vintage Kitchen ad for Armstrong Monowall that will help make your 1950s kitchen look even better with practical walls.

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

“See the latest advances in modern living”. 1952 vintage kitchen design ideas from Youngstown Kitchens.

1950s vintage advertisement: 1952 vintage kitchen design ideas from Youngstown Kitchens. featuring illustrations of various things in the kitchen like counters, sinks etc and 1950s housewives.

Source: eBay

1953 THOR Built-In Electric Range advertisement. Perfect kitchen appliance for that modern kitchen and housewife.

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

Geneva Personalized Kitchens – 1954 Ad. “Let your GENEVA Kitchen be gay…in one of six delightful colors – or white if you prefer”

1950s Vintage Kitchen Ad: Geneva Personalized Kitchens - 1954 Ad. "Let your GENEVA Kitchen be gay...in one of six delightful colors - or white if you prefer"

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

“Take a good look and see why…Republic Steel Kitchens give you the most for your money!” 1954 ad.

1950s vintage kitchen ad for Republic Steel Kitchens featuring a cool galley 1950s kitchen and an excited 1950s housewife.

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

1950s magazine cover featuring a Mid-Century tropical patio indoor / outdoor living arrangement, including a cute outdoor kitchen.

I LOVE THIS!

1950s magazine cover featuring A Mid-Century tropical patio featuring indoor / outdoor living including a cute outdoor 1950s kitchen

Source: Etsy- PlentifulPages

“This is Living – Foodarama Living by Kelvinator”.

1959 Kelvinator appliances advertisement including a pink fridge and big kitchen windows (love those windows).

Source: Etsy- PlentifulPages

Mid-Century Kitchen: “Our goal was a kitchen as inviting as a sitting room. Kitchen has a deep sense of dimension to and fro. Handsomely designed cabinets fit under counter. At far end are more counter and tray space, and under colorful storage panels the laundry. An entertaining use of fabric and handcraft makes for interest on every hand.”

1950s / Mid Century Kitchen inspiration as seen in a 1950s vintage magazine. Vintage Kitchen Inspiration.

Source: Etsy- PlentifulPages

Question: Are you a fan of the classic 1950s kitchen? Tell me what your favorite elements of the design are and how you would mix it with modern updates? OR just tell me anything you wish to talk about around this topic.

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Do you remember the first time you heard a voice come through the radio waves?

The invention of the radio revolutionized not only the way we communicate but also how we entertained each other. It has become a beloved part of our culture and changed the world forever.

I have very fond memories of listening too all my favourite music and recording it for future enjoyment. It brings a smile to my face when I think about it today.

Now today’s post is inspired by my friend Alex Pangman who recently posted that it was National Radio Day (August 20th). Alex posted because she is an amazing Jazz artist and the “Canadian Sweetheart of Swing” and was very thankful for the radio to have her songs heard (listen here).

It’s not August 20th anymore, but I thought that it would be fun to put together a post on ‘Vintage Radio ads from 1920s to 1950s‘ in honour of that special day.

Let’s begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Brief History of the Radio:

It is proven that the first wireless radio was invented in 1893 by Nikola Tesla. He assembled the first radio in St. Louis, Missouri. The credit of the first radio, however, went to Guglielmo Marconi. Marconi was issued the first patent for a wireless radio device in England in 1896. Tesla’s patents were not granted in the United States until 1900, four years after Marconi.

The question of when the radio was invented is also is a difficult one to answer. Historians have recorded that the first communication sent over radio waves was sent by Guglielmo Marconi on December 12, 1901. This date is considered the radio invention date (Source).

Canadian Invention:

Canadian, Reginald Fessenden was a pioneer in the field of radio communication. He made the first voice transmission over radio waves. He also laid the foundations of amplitude modulation (AM) and achieved the first two-way radiotelegraphic communication across the Atlantic Ocean. His 1906 transmission of a Christmas concert is considered the first radio broadcast in history (source).

1920s vntage photo: A family listening to the first broadcasts around 1920 with a crystal radio. The crystal radio, a legacy from the pre-broadcast era, could not power a loudspeaker so the family must share earphones

Source: Wikipedia – A family listening to the first broadcasts around 1920 with a crystal radio. The crystal radio, a legacy from the pre-broadcast era, could not power a loudspeaker so the family must share earphones.

Vintage Radio Advertising 1920s-1950s

1923 Radiola RC radio advertisement.

“For Summer Sport”.” Down to the beach again, into the water, out on the boats. And every party a Radiola party, with concerts & dance music coming in on the air”.

1920s vintage radio ad from 1923 for Radiola RC showcasing an illustration of people in 1920s fashions listening to the radio by the seaside.

Source: Saturdayeveningpost.com

“Can we get those blues from Memphis?” 1924 ad for WORKRITE Super Neutrodyne Radio Sets.

1920s vintage radio ad from 1924 featuring a couple listening to the radio.

Source: library.duke.edu

1929 Graybar radio ad. “For selectivity sharp as a razor – tune in a Graybar Radio”.

1920s Vintage Radio Ad: 1929 graybar radio print ad

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1932 PHILCO radio ad: “It looks better…It sounds better…It IS better! Bring all the best dance music right into your home, “as if in person. PHILCO, the only radio scientifically designed as a musical instrument, gives you your choice of the world’s famous orchestras”.

1930s vintage radio advertisement: 1932 PHILCO Radio Musical Instrument Orchestra Dance Music Party featuring couples in 1930s fashions dancing in a livingroom.

Source: Etsy – KristensVintagePaper

1933 Emerson Mickey Mouse ad.

“Emerson MICKEY MOUSE Radios were the big “scoop” of the show at Madison Square Gardens! “Orders were placed right there”.

1933 Emerson Mickey Mouse Radio ad. 1930s vintage radio ad

Source: Facebook-Pavek Museum

1930s General Electric radio ad. “Get your station at the touch of a finger! Touch Tuning – Does away with tedious dialing”.

1930s vintage radio ad for General electric radio touch dials featuring a grandfather and his young grandson in front of the radio

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1937 Victor Records and RCA Victor Phonograph radio ad.

“Entertain…Dance…To your favourite bands at any hour of night or day!”

Further Reading: Guy Lombardo-Canada’s Famous Big Band Leader

1930s vintage radio ad: 1937 RCA VICTOR Records Phonograph Radios, featuring Big Band leaders, Guy Lombardo Benny Goodman Tommy Dorsey

Source: Etsy-KristensVintagePaper

1947 RCA Victor radio advertisement. “With the “Golden Throat” you hear both kinds of radio in full tonal beauty”.

I love the bottom right radio. So pretty!

1940s vintage radio ad: 1947 RCA Victor Vintage Ad featuring two 1940s radios. 1940s vintage radio ad:

Source: Etsy – PlentifulPages

Two, 1940s General Electric advertisements for ‘The newest Golden Tone Radio’ & a “Carryabout” radio.

1940s vintage advertising: 1940s General Electric Advertisement for 'The newest Golden Tone Radio' & a "carryabout" radio.

Source: Etsy – PlentifulPages

“General Electric Presents The Complete Musical Instrument..Radio Receiver, Record Player & Home Recorder”.

Source: Etsy – PlentifulPages

1940s RCA War Bonds ad.

“Your War Bonds will buy the secret weapons we need to lick the Enemy”. “Your saving will buy the greatest radios and phonographs in RCA history”.

1940s vintage radio ad: RCA WW2 War Bonds ad talking about how after the war you can take that money and buy RCA radios and phonographs with it.

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1946 ‘OLYMPIC Radio’, Tru-Base Radios featuring Jack Benny’s Wife Mary Livingstone and daughter listening to his voice on the table radio.

1940s vintage radio ad from 1946 OLYMPIC RADIO Tru-Base Radios featuring Jack Benny Wife Mary Livingstone and Daughter listening to his voice on the radio

Source: Etsy-KristensVintagePaper

“The pick of the Portables”. 1940s RCA Victor Portable radio ad. Fun!

What is your favourite?

1940s Vintage radio ad: "The pick of the Portables". 1940s RCA Victor Portable Radio Ad.

Source: Etsy-AmericanCenturyShop

1951 General Electric Clock Radio. “Turns itself off after you go to sleep!” “Wake you to music in the morning!”.

1950s Vintage Radio Ad: 1951 GE General Electric Clock Radio

Source: Etsy-KristensVintagePaper

1952 Motorola Radio ad. “New Motorola radios outperfom others anywhere!”.

1950s Vintage Radio Ad: 1952 Motorola Radios Vintage Advertisement featuring images of the different 1950s radios they have.

Source: Etsy – RelicElectric

“Tak along a Motorola Portable with exclusive Roto-Tenna”.

I Love this 1950s ad because I love the 1950s skirt our main lady is wearing.

1950s Vintage Ad-MOTOROLA Portable Radio featuring an illustration of 1950s people walking around with radios and a woman in a 1950s skirt and sandels holding a portable radio

Source: Pinterest

1950s portable radio ads are so much fun I just had to share another one!

Here is a GE 1950 Color Portable Radios. “Brighten your Summer with a color styled Portable”. You can take it to the beach, to the garden, by the fireplace and more!

1950s Vintage Radio Ad from 1950s for GE Color Portable Radios perfect for the beach, gardening, at home etc. The image features and man and woman in 1950s swimsuits with their portable radios.

Source: Etsy – RelicElectric

1950s radio vintage ad: The new ‘STC Tymatic 5 Value Clock Radio’. Turns off the bed lamp and wakes you to music.

Source: Pinterest

Thank you for dropping by an enjoying these fun vintage radio ads with me. It was a fun step back in time and I had a blast researching this post (at some point I will do a part 2, there were lots of ads out there).

Please share in the comments section below, what your favourite was. Or a memory you wish to share about the radio. I love hearing from my readers!

Further Reading:

Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Meet the Host Behind Zoomer Radio’s ‘Vintage Favourites’- Gene Stevens

Liz

Tag: vintage advertising

Kitchen Advertising from the 1950s

1950s Vintage Kitchen Advertising

Vintage Radio Advertising

Brief History of the Radio:

Vintage Radio Advertising 1920s-1950s