Category: Advertisements

1912 Jell-O Advertisement

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Tuesday, July 16, 1912:  I don’t just exactly remember what I really did today.

Jell-O with black raspberries

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I was thinking about what to write, and remembered that a reader commented several weeks ago that many people were getting ice boxes in the early 1900s—and that Jell-O was becoming popular.

I recalled that I had seen an advertisement for Jell-O and flipped through a couple magazines hunting it.

I found this advertisement  in the July, 1912 issue of Ladies Home Journal.

For Summer Appetites

In hot weather when the appetite is just a little off, and there is a peculiar craving for something cool and satisfying, nothing touches the spot like

JELL-O

It is so deliciously cool, so light, so wholesome, so nutritious—so tempting and good every way—that it satisfies the summer appetite as nothing else can.

Fruit of almost any kind can be added, as the housewife chooses, or left out, and in either case the dessert will be delightful.

There is no other dessert worth serving that can be made without cooking, and in hot weather no housewife wants to cook and fuss more than is necessary.

A Jell-O dessert can made in a minute.

Seven delightful flavors: Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Chocolate.

10 cents a package at all grocers’

The splendid recipe book, “Desserts of the World” illustrated in ten colors and gold, will be sent to all who write us and ask for it.

THE GENESEE PURE FOOD CO.,

Le Roy, N.Y, and Bridgeburg, Can.

Why Do Cows Kick?

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Wednesday, July 3, 1912:  Did the same things today as I usually do on other days. Got so mad at a cow who took a notion to run over the whole creation.

Advertisement in June 30, 1911 Issue of Farm Implement Magazine

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Sounds like Grandma again was having problems with a cow escaping from the pasture. Grandma also occasionally had  to deal with other cow behavior problems. For example, on March 31, 1911 she wrote:

I got kicked today, and it was such a violent one that it caused me to land on my back. It was by a modest cow, who happened to kick me and the bucket at the same time. I guess I was as much surprised as she was.

Here’s an abridged version of what a 1908 book called The Farm Dairy by H.B. Gurler had to say about cows that kick:

Find the Cause of a Cow’s Kicking.—When a cow kicks, the first thing the milker should do is look for the cause. Do not fly into a rage and scold the cow, but remember that the cow must have had cause for the kicking. You may think the cause was not sufficient, especially if she hit you where it hurt, as she probably did for cows have a facility for doing that.

When a cow kicks she is either frightened or hurt, and if she is frightened and kicked you it is strong circumstantial evidence that you have at some time hurt her and she is afraid that you are going to hurt her again, and she feels that her safety depends on her ability to defend herself.

Sometimes cows are hurt. For example, the cause for one cow that kicked was a pond of water in the pasture in which the cow stood fighting flies, getting her teats wet, and causing them to chap, but not so deeply that the milker discovered it until the healing process had commenced. A few applications of linseed oil on the teats remedied the trouble.

There is always a cause for a cow’s kicking and it is not to our credit not to be able to find it.

Old Patent Medicine Advertisement

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Monday, June 17, 1912: I tried to play the sick cat this afternoon, but no one took it very seriously. In fact I really didn’t feel very extra anyway.

Did Grandma take any of the old patent medicines? (Click on picture to enlarge.)

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

What chore was Grandma trying to get out of?  It isn’t fun to not feel well, and not have anyone believe you.

Hupmobile Advertisement

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Thursday, May 30, 1912:  Memorial Day: Carrie and I went up to McEwensville this morning. This afternoon we went over to Watsontown accompanied by another girl friend. We had the pleasure of getting an automobile ride. It was the first time I was ever in one and consequently never had experienced a ride. We had a good time.

Source: Kimball’s Dairy Farmer Magazine (February 1, 1912)

Hupmobile

Hupmobile Long-Strike “32” Touring Car, $900

F.O.B. Detroit, including equipment of windshield, gas lamps and generator, oil lamps, tools, and horn. Three speeds forward and reverse; sliding gears. Four cylinder motor, 3 ¼-inch bore and 5 ½ inch stroke. Bosch magnets, 106-inch wheel base, 32 x 3 ½ inch tires. Color, Standard Hupmobile Blue, Roadster, $900.

Two cars whose name is your guarantee

We refer to the two leading Hupmobiles—the Long-Stroke “32” Touring Car, and the Standard 20 H.P. Runabout.

Both the product of the same engineering skill and the same shop organization that originated the Hupmobile.

Both incorporating elements of value not found elsewhere at the price or near it.

Each the sign and symbol of the highest and best construction of its particular type.

The Long-Stroke “32,” with its cylinders cast in one piece, its three bearing crank shaft, its enclosed valves—a motor of extraordinary pulling power and sturdiness and absolute silences, perfectly dust-and oil-tight.

Multiple disc clutch, 13 inches in diameter.

Three-speed transmission, large enough for a 40 H.P. car.

Each a feature for the equal of which you must go beyond Hupmobile price.

And a full floating rear axle of especially strong construction.

Fifteen thousand owners, the world over, testify to the worth and serviceability, the staunchness and durability, of the Runabout.

It, too, has a unit power plant; multiple disc clutch; and sliding gear transmission.

All the power you will ever need or want and to spare.

If you are in the market for a touring car around $900, or a two passenger car, around $750, get in touch with the Hupmobile dealer.

He will show you the actual value of these cars, the value that sets them above other cars of their prices.

Write for a complete catalog.

Standard 20 H.P. Hupmobile, $750

F.O.B. Detroit, with same power plant that took the world touring car around the world—four cylinders, 20 H.P., sliding gears, Bosch magnets, Equipped with top, windshield, gas lights and generator, oil lamps, tools, and horn. Roadster with 110-inch wheel base and highly finished steel box mounted on rear deck, $850.

Hup Motor Car Company, 1201 Jefferson Ave., Detroit Mich.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Wow, it’s awesome that Grandma had her first ride in an automobile. I wonder who gave Grandma and her friend Carrie Stout the ride.

The previous year, on May 8, 1911, Grandma used a telephone for the first time.

Technology was rapidly coming to Central Pennsyvlania!

Memorial Day

A hundred years ago Memorial Day was always on May 30—instead of on the last Monday in May like it is now.

Old Womens’ Clothing Store Advertisement

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Tuesday, April 30, 1912:  Took my dress uptown to get made. Wonder when it will be done. Hope it will be satisfactory. I have a sore fore-finger, but can’t account for the cause.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Hmm. . . I’m not sure what Grandma meant when she said that she took her dress uptown to get it made.

Three days earlier, she’d written that she and her mother went shopping in Milton and purchased a hat, several other items, and a white dress:

. . . I got a white dress . . .

Diary entry, April 27, 1912

Advertisement in Milton Evening Standard

Sometime a diary entry raises more questions than it answers.

— Had they really purchased cloth and a pattern, instead of a dress?

— Or did they buy a dress, but it needed alternations?

–Where was uptown?  . . . somewhere in McEwensville?  . . . in Watsontown? . . . (Uptown sounds like such a classy word to describe any section of the little towns near Grandma’s home.)

–And a lingering question—Do I worry too much about the details? In the bigger picture of Grandma’s story, does it really matter whether she bought a dress or had someone make it for her?

Hundred-Year-Old Flexible Flyer Sled Ad

16-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Friday, December 22, 1911: Strung some pop corn for on the Christmas tree. Jimmie got a sled today after a lot of ding-donging for it. He had to go along with Pa to see that he got the kind he wanted. Ruthie came home with them, well supplied with lots of news. I only hope she got me the Xmas present I wanted. She got Jimmie a horn. With two horns he ought to makes things buzz for several days at least.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

I wonder if Grandma’s six-year-old brother Jimmie got a Flexible Flyer sled.

Source: The Youth’s Companion (December 7, 1911)

Flexible Flyer—“The sled that steers”

Every boy and girl wants one. It’s the ideal Xmas gift. Nothing you can give the children will make them so happy! Don’t buy simply a “steering sled.” You want more than that. You want a FLEXIBLE FLYER—the safest, speediest, handsomest, and most economical sled made.

With the ordinary “sled” you drag the feet to steer, but you steer the FLEXIBLE FLYER by the mere pressure of hand or foot on the steering bar. You can steer accurately in any desired direction past all other sleds, and around every obstacle.

Just think of the saving this means in boots and shoes, as well as in doctor’s bills! It prevents wet feet, colds, etc., and actually saves its cost many times each season.

The FLEXIBLE FLYER is light and graceful. Easy to pull up hill, yet so strong and scientifically made it

outlasts three ordinary sleds

Another important feature is our patented grooved runners which prevent skidding on icy hills or pavements. These grooved runners are far superior even on snowy surfaces to flat or rounded runners used on all other sleds. It also has more steering surface than other sleds.

Ask your dealer to show you its many other exclusive advantages. Don’t accept a substitute.

Insist on a FLEXIBLE FLYER and be sure to look for the name on the sled. It isn’t a FLEXIBLE FLYER unless it bears this trade mark.

Win every race!

Card-Board Model FREE, also a beautiful booklet, illustrated in colors showing coasting scenes, etc. Just write a postal giving your name and address and say—“Send model and booklet.” We will gladly send them both absolutely free. Write to-day before you forget it.

S.L. Allen & Co., Box 1100 C, Philadelphia, Pa.

Rayo Lanterns Advertisement

16-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Monday, December 18, 1911: Got up about five o’clock this morning. I milked this morning in entire darkness, but I guess I’ll wait until it gets lighter after this. Ruth left about half past six this morning intending to take the early train. Don’t know what I’ll do without her. Am beginning to miss her already. I consoled myself by going to Watsontown and buying Xmas presents. I got Mater a half doz. tumblers. Ruth a pair of gold collar pins. Besse a gold hat pin and Jimmie a horn to make some noise with. After going over my list of things I bought I found that one of the clerks had cheated herself out of fifteen cents.

Advertisement Source: Kimball’s Dairy Farmer Magazine (September 15, 1911)

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Whew, Grandma had a long day. It doesn’t sound like fun to get up at 5 a.m. to milk cows on one of the shortest days of the year.

And, it’s kind of cool that Grandma missed her sister Ruth so quickly after she left–or at least wished that her sister was there to help with the work. In so many diary entries, Grandma seemed annoyed or frustrated with her sister; and refers to her as Rufus, her highness, etc. It’s been fun to try to decipher the complex relationship between the sisters.

At least Grandma had a  fun shopping. I love the line about the clerk cheating herself out of 15 cents. Grandma would have noticed that type of mistake even when she was elderly. She strongly believed that if you watched your pennies that the dollars would take care of themselves. (Actually she probably also worried about the dollars.)

Even when Grandma was very old, if she saw a penny lying on a sidewalk, she would bend down to pick up.

I also always pick up stray pennies whenever I see any—and remember that I learned the importance of every single penny from Grandma. I tell my children that I’m still young because I can still bend and pick pennies up. My children retort that I must be old if I think that a penny still has enough value to make it worthwhile picking up.