As a writer of historical fiction, I spend a lot of time researching, and I especially adore vintage ads. Occasionally I come across something that I wasn’t looking for but is so fascinating I get completely sidetracked and lose an hour amusing myself with it. No pun intended. 🙂 Here’s what got me today–an ad…
This is one of those history lessons we didn’t get in school. A lovely reader who just finished an ARC of SPEAK EASY emailed me about a scene where Enzo retrieves a condom from his coat pocket. (It is a favorite scene of mine.) She was curious about the accuracy of this–did such a thing…
Glowing Gloria Swanson Ever wonder how those classic Hollywood screen starlets got their glowing complexions? Why the leading men appeared so virile? Easy-peasy. Radioactivity! Within two years of its discovery, doctors, inventors, and cosmetics companies were singing the praises of radium’s healing properties and energy-boosting powers. It was called a “revolutionary beauty secret.” This ad…
One of the most popular series of posts on an old blog I had was Vintage Ad Fun, so I thought I’d resurrect it here for your amusement. The first installment is brought to you by the miracle that is Listerine. Are you unpopular? It might be your “unexcusable” bad breath. But don’t worry. You…