The 1940s was a decade of tremendous change. At the beginning of the decade America was just coming out of a depression. Times were still tough and industry was just
starting to gear up.
The American worker found himself (and herself) back to work supporting the war effort. Military equipment, vehicles, aircraft and more went to support the troops.
When the war ended the factories still remained. Soldiers returning from the war were looking for steady employment and factories happily supplied them
Dozens of innovations came out the war and American soon entered its age of prosperity. New products, time saving devices, homes, cars-you name it, were bought up by the hungry public.
Wall Street, American manufacturers, stores, retailers and advertising agencies took notice.
In response to American's never-ending hunger for 'new and improved', "time-savingdevices", and recreational needs, magazines, newspapers, billboards, TV, radio and a host of other advertising venues turned out hundreds-thousands-of ads and advertising.
Taschen and author Ed Jim Heimann have collaborated and turned out a huge hard back volume consisting of ads set during the 1940s. Alcohol and Tobacco, Automobiles, Entertainment, Consumer Products, Fashion and Beauty, Food and Beverage, Industry, Interiors, and Travel are all given their due with full color and black and white ads featuring photos, clever art and copy and there's even a section on WWII.
It's the ultimate book about 1940s Ads, many of which became classic and still influence ads seen today.