#7. Eastern Airlines/"The Wings of Man"
This rises above every other airline campaign before or since. Beautiful footage and the
God-like voice of Orson Welles reading some of the purplest prose ever (Come. We
will be your wings...and though you were born on earth to live on earth, you will be at
home here in the sky...Eastern. The wings of man.) The radio campaign was
marvelous, too. Later, Eastern really blew it when former astronaut Frank Borman took
over the spokesman role and the theme line became "We have to earn our wings every
day". Ugh. So much for poetry.
Eastern Air Lines
Agency: Young & Rubicam
Writer: Bill Waites
Art Director: Henry Holtzman
Director:
Creative Director: Alex Kroll
(I don't often credit CDs, being one myself and realizing the kudos really belong
to writers and art directors. But Kroll needs to be mentioned somewhere in this
list!)
1968
This rises above every other airline campaign before or since. Beautiful footage and the
God-like voice of Orson Welles reading some of the purplest prose ever (Come. We
will be your wings...and though you were born on earth to live on earth, you will be at
home here in the sky...Eastern. The wings of man.) The radio campaign was
marvelous, too. Later, Eastern really blew it when former astronaut Frank Borman took
over the spokesman role and the theme line became "We have to earn our wings every
day". Ugh. So much for poetry.
Eastern Air Lines
Agency: Young & Rubicam
Writer: Bill Waites
Art Director: Henry Holtzman
Director:
Creative Director: Alex Kroll
(I don't often credit CDs, being one myself and realizing the kudos really belong
to writers and art directors. But Kroll needs to be mentioned somewhere in this
list!)
1968
#8. "Fruit of the Loom Guys"
The underwear company's venerable fruity logo comes to wonderfully goofy life.
Greatest costumes since Edith Head. (There was a green grapes guy, a red grapes guy,
an apple guy and a leaf guy.) Provided early gigs for future great actors, F. Murray
Abraham (Amadeus) among them.
Fruit of the Loom/Union Underwear Company
Agency: Grey
1975-1990
The underwear company's venerable fruity logo comes to wonderfully goofy life.
Greatest costumes since Edith Head. (There was a green grapes guy, a red grapes guy,
an apple guy and a leaf guy.) Provided early gigs for future great actors, F. Murray
Abraham (Amadeus) among them.
Fruit of the Loom/Union Underwear Company
Agency: Grey
1975-1990
#9. Heinz/"The Big Production"/Ann Miller
The standard for zany, madcap Stan Frebergian fun. An homage to Busby Berkeley in
which legendary hoofer Miller (who claimed to tap 500 taps a minute) encircles a
gigantic soup can. There were 21 chorus girls, a 24-piece orchestra, and 4,000
geyser-like water fountains. At the time this was one of the most expensively produced
spots in history. At the end of the spot, David Wilcox, who plays Miller's husband,
deadpans, Emily, why do you have to make such a big production out of everything?
Heinz Great American Soups
Agency: Freberg Ltd. (But Not Very)
Agency motto: Ars Gratia Pecuniae (Art for money's sake)
Writer/Director/Composer: Stan Freberg
Choreographer: Hermes Pan
Arranger: Billy May
1970
The standard for zany, madcap Stan Frebergian fun. An homage to Busby Berkeley in
which legendary hoofer Miller (who claimed to tap 500 taps a minute) encircles a
gigantic soup can. There were 21 chorus girls, a 24-piece orchestra, and 4,000
geyser-like water fountains. At the time this was one of the most expensively produced
spots in history. At the end of the spot, David Wilcox, who plays Miller's husband,
deadpans, Emily, why do you have to make such a big production out of everything?
Heinz Great American Soups
Agency: Freberg Ltd. (But Not Very)
Agency motto: Ars Gratia Pecuniae (Art for money's sake)
Writer/Director/Composer: Stan Freberg
Choreographer: Hermes Pan
Arranger: Billy May
1970
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| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
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| It was the first television commercial, aired 2:29 pm, July 1, 1941 during Brooklyn Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies baseball game. It was 10 seconds long and sold for $9. |
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| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Answer to Quiz #206 - April 26, 2009 |
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| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz #206 Results |
| Visit our blog at www.forensicgenealogy.info/blog. |
| This image represents what milestone in history? |
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| Comments from Our Readers |
This puzzle makes me nostaligic for family owned companies that had pride in their
products and a willingness to be a part of their community, not just a business out for
profit. I know, naive, but in light of our national "sinking ship" let me have my moment.
Mary Osmar
*****
I can remember hearing the phrase, "Bulova Watch Time" on radio when I was a child,
and they later sponsored the Jackie Gleason Show. Bill Utterback
*****
No one would have called it high art, but it was a start. Fred Stuart
*****
To quote Samuel Morse from another moment of mass communications history, "What
hath God wrought?". This was the first television commercial. Larry Slavens
*****
I actually remember the Bulova Watch ad. My Mother was bedridden for about a year
and my dad went out and bought her one of the early television sets which I think was
shaped something like a portable sewing machine. I have no idea what year that would
have been, probably the mid 40's. Oh am I getting old!! Sue Edminster
*****
Who would have thought that this simple, almost subliminal, message would evolve into
one of the most annoying things in our modern society. It is so powerful, even today,
that I was prompted to shop for a Bulova watch. But then I looked at the prices...
Carolyn Cornelius
N.B. If you think the price of Bulova watches has gone up since then, you should see
what TV commericals cost these days! Colleen
products and a willingness to be a part of their community, not just a business out for
profit. I know, naive, but in light of our national "sinking ship" let me have my moment.
Mary Osmar
*****
I can remember hearing the phrase, "Bulova Watch Time" on radio when I was a child,
and they later sponsored the Jackie Gleason Show. Bill Utterback
*****
No one would have called it high art, but it was a start. Fred Stuart
*****
To quote Samuel Morse from another moment of mass communications history, "What
hath God wrought?". This was the first television commercial. Larry Slavens
*****
I actually remember the Bulova Watch ad. My Mother was bedridden for about a year
and my dad went out and bought her one of the early television sets which I think was
shaped something like a portable sewing machine. I have no idea what year that would
have been, probably the mid 40's. Oh am I getting old!! Sue Edminster
*****
Who would have thought that this simple, almost subliminal, message would evolve into
one of the most annoying things in our modern society. It is so powerful, even today,
that I was prompted to shop for a Bulova watch. But then I looked at the prices...
Carolyn Cornelius
N.B. If you think the price of Bulova watches has gone up since then, you should see
what TV commericals cost these days! Colleen
| Congratulations to Our Winners Rick Mackinney and His Quiz Angel Jina (Right on Time) Yi! Anne Alves Maureen O'Connor Don Haase Tom Goodlet Jeanne M. Daily Delores Martin Tamura Jones Shirley Ferguson Teresa Yu Alan Cullinan John Chulick Robin Depietro Edee Scott Linda Templar Alexander Margaret Waterman Rex Cornelius Carl Blessing Bill Utterback Gary Sterne Sandra McConathy Norm Smith Mary Osmar Mike Swierczewski Laurel Fletchner Sue Edminster Joshua Kreitzer Milene Rawlinson Diane Burkett Bill Hurley Margaret Bonar Mary Lee Alderman Fred Stuart Ione Jolly Dennis Brann Larry Slavens Justin Campoli Debbie Sterbinsky Karen Kay Bunting Kathy Henderson Dan Schlesinger Sheri Fenley Lisa Thaler Elaine C. Hebert Jim Baker Charlie Wayne Pat McChesney Don Draper Carolyn Cornelius Brad Labine Stan Read Jocelyn Thayer Kathy Storm Wayne Douglas Mike Dalton Marilyn Hamill Betty Chambers Venita Wilson Caroline Pointer Larry Holderly Judy Pfaff Jeff Thompson Evan Hindman Robert E. McKenna, QPL |
| History of the Bulova Company http://www.bulova.com/about/history.aspx |
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#6. "John Elliott"
A home movie of a newly minted Naval Academy graduate, John Elliott, as hundreds of
the Middies' hats are hurled joyously into the air. We only see Ensign Elliott for a few
moments. But we like him immensely. Then we're told he died a few days later, killed
by a drunk driver (who had been charged with DUI but released). Raw, heartbreaking
power. So strong that several states have passed "John's Laws" that require cops to
impound a DUI's car so he/she won't get right back on the road.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration/The Ad Council
Agency: DDB Worldwide
2002
A home movie of a newly minted Naval Academy graduate, John Elliott, as hundreds of
the Middies' hats are hurled joyously into the air. We only see Ensign Elliott for a few
moments. But we like him immensely. Then we're told he died a few days later, killed
by a drunk driver (who had been charged with DUI but released). Raw, heartbreaking
power. So strong that several states have passed "John's Laws" that require cops to
impound a DUI's car so he/she won't get right back on the road.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration/The Ad Council
Agency: DDB Worldwide
2002
| Test Patterns http://www.high-techproductions.com/testpatterns.htm |
| Probably the most famous American B&W test pattern is the so-called "Indian Head" monoscope pattern. It was originated by RCA in 1939. |
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| This NBC test pattern actually dates back to 1941, when commercial TV broadcasts began in America. |
| This is the 16:9 PAL version of the Philips test pattern as used by BRT, the Dutch-language Belgian broadcast organization. |
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| This test pattern started to be used in the 1980's by video enthusiasts and studios in the United States. |
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This was not the one produced in 1967. I could not find that one. This one was
produced in 1975. Embedding this commercial is prohibited, so you have to click
here to see it.
produced in 1975. Embedding this commercial is prohibited, so you have to click
here to see it.
| For a chronology of TV firsts, click here. |
| The annual Super Bowl American football game is known as much for its commercial advertisements as for the game itself, and the average cost of a single 30-second TV spot during this game (seen by 90 million viewers) has reached US$2.7 million (as of February 2008). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_commercial |
| Memories of Early Television submitted by Don Draper |
| My early ‘teen years were spent in St. Thomas Ontario, 20 miles south of London which had a television station in 1953. I believe it was the 2nd private station in Canada. Before that time I had some experience with television. A neighbour had a set and a roof-top aerial. Sometimes they invited me to watch a Cleveland station that appeared more snow than any recognizable picture. My parents had friends in Detroit and I really enjoyed visiting them because they had a TV and Mr. Barlow, a Pontiac salesman, liked baseball. He drove us in a brand new car to Briggs Stadium on Saturdays to see the Tigers’ game and we watched the Ed Sullivan show on Sunday nights - complete with pop corn. The time period was between 1948 and the early 50’s. I think my parents paid over $400 for a black and white set in 1953 - a very substantial expense that could be like ten times that amount today. We had a roof-top aerial that could be turned with an electrical motor controlled from a small box on top of the TV. You could hone in on Erie, Cleveland, Detroit (on a nice day) and of course London. Having TV at age 13 was super exciting. Sunday dinner sometimes would be in the living room where the family could enjoy Hopalong Cassidy and Liberace. Friday nights I was allowed to stay up longer and I really liked the Steve Allen show. To this day I would rank him as one of the top comedians/talk show hosts/promoters of new talent (remember Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme) ever! Who on earth ever had a television set in 1941? The thirst for visual media had existed before that period but you had to live in a city like New York or Philadelphia to receive a picture. Surely only the rich could afford a set! I was interested to read that the Second World War caused a cooling off of the industry’s development. It reinforced that my early experiences were truly at the beginning of something big. Don Draper |
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| Quiz Number 206 The Phillies and the Dodgers were playing ball that day, On 1 July 1941 at 2:29:10 for ten seconds in the afternoon. WNBT-TV displayed the Worlds' first TV Ad, Costing only four dollars, prices would rise very soon. Just a ten second spot, superimposed on a Test Pattern, Was a map of the United States and a clock With a voice-over that announced to all, "America Runs on Bulova Time." created a shock. The history of the first TV advertisement Will go down in television lore However, who will ever remember The outcome of the baseball score? Robert E. McKenna Quiz Poet Laureate ***** What do I remember of TV as a tyke? Not too many episodes of even what I liked. Why they even rerun programs I think that no one knows. I recall the commercials Much better than the shows! Colleen Fitzpatrick Understudy to Quiz Poet Laureate Robert Edward McKenna |
#2. American Cancer Society/"William Talman"
The prosecutor on TV's "Perry Mason", a consistent loser to defense attorney Perry
(played by Raymond Burr), gaunt and gray, dying of lung cancer, wins the battle of
courage by urging people not to smoke. The copy: My name is Bill Talman. The most
unsuccessful prosecuting attorney in the history of the legal profession. I didn't really
mind losing those courtroom battles. But I'm in a battle right now I don't want to lose.
I've got lung cancer. So take some advice about smoking from someone who's been
doing both for years: If you haven't smoked, don't start. If you do smoke, quit. Don't
be a loser! Burr was on the set to support his co-star who was sedated and very much
in pain. One of the most compelling PSAs ever produced.
American Cancer Society
1968
The prosecutor on TV's "Perry Mason", a consistent loser to defense attorney Perry
(played by Raymond Burr), gaunt and gray, dying of lung cancer, wins the battle of
courage by urging people not to smoke. The copy: My name is Bill Talman. The most
unsuccessful prosecuting attorney in the history of the legal profession. I didn't really
mind losing those courtroom battles. But I'm in a battle right now I don't want to lose.
I've got lung cancer. So take some advice about smoking from someone who's been
doing both for years: If you haven't smoked, don't start. If you do smoke, quit. Don't
be a loser! Burr was on the set to support his co-star who was sedated and very much
in pain. One of the most compelling PSAs ever produced.
American Cancer Society
1968
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#3. "I Love New York"
The music and footage are sublime and there were more Broadway and political stars
than you could shake a slate at. A feast! The jingle became New York State's official
song.
New York State Tourism
Agency: Wells Rich Greene
Writer: Charlie Moss
Art Director: Stan Dragotti
Director: Stan Dragotti
Music: Steve Karmen
1983
The music and footage are sublime and there were more Broadway and political stars
than you could shake a slate at. A feast! The jingle became New York State's official
song.
New York State Tourism
Agency: Wells Rich Greene
Writer: Charlie Moss
Art Director: Stan Dragotti
Director: Stan Dragotti
Music: Steve Karmen
1983
#10. Johnson for President/"Daisy"
A little girl plucks petals off a daisy. She counts backwards from 10. This intercuts
with newsreel footage of a horrific nuclear blast. Copy: These are the stakes. To make
a world in which all of God's children can live, or to go into the dark. We must either
love each other, or we must die. Vote for President Johnson on November third. The
stakes are too high for you to stay home. Has anyone ever matched this kind of
imagery? Ran just once: on CBS, September 7, 1964. The reaction was white hot. LBJ
pulled it. But it had already incinerated Barry Goldwater.
Johnson for President
Agency: Doyle Dane Bernbach
Writer: Tony Schwartz
1964
A little girl plucks petals off a daisy. She counts backwards from 10. This intercuts
with newsreel footage of a horrific nuclear blast. Copy: These are the stakes. To make
a world in which all of God's children can live, or to go into the dark. We must either
love each other, or we must die. Vote for President Johnson on November third. The
stakes are too high for you to stay home. Has anyone ever matched this kind of
imagery? Ran just once: on CBS, September 7, 1964. The reaction was white hot. LBJ
pulled it. But it had already incinerated Barry Goldwater.
Johnson for President
Agency: Doyle Dane Bernbach
Writer: Tony Schwartz
1964
| Top 10 of Drew Babb's 100 Greatest Commercials of All Time http://www.drewbabb.com/100-greatest-commercials/commercials-page-one.htm |
#1. "America Runs on Bulova Time"
I put this one first because it's the very first documented
TV commercial, according to Wikipedia. It ran July 1,
1941, before the start of the Brooklyn Dodgers-Philadelphia
Phillies telecast. It was what we today call a "billboard" --a
one-line intro. Video: A Bulova clock superimposed over a
map of the United States. Audio: America runs on Bulova
time. Reportedly cost the client $10 to run it!
Bulova Watch
1941
TV commercial, according to Wikipedia. It ran July 1,
1941, before the start of the Brooklyn Dodgers-Philadelphia
Phillies telecast. It was what we today call a "billboard" --a
one-line intro. Video: A Bulova clock superimposed over a
map of the United States. Audio: America runs on Bulova
time. Reportedly cost the client $10 to run it!
Bulova Watch
1941
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#5. 7-Up/"The Uncola"
7-Up's original early 20th century name was––get this––Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-
Lime Soda. So 7-Up was a real step up, moniker-wise. The brand really got a boost in
the late 60's when J. Walter Thompson got gutsy with Coke and Pepsi by positioning it
as "The Uncola." The first spots featured Peter Maxesque counterculture animation. A
great touch was a typical Coke soda-fountain glass being turned upside down. 7-Up
actually marketed Uncola glasses. (I bought some!) Later 7-Up campaigns never
matched the smarts and sass of this ground-breaking one.
Agency: J. Walter Thompson
1967
7-Up's original early 20th century name was––get this––Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-
Lime Soda. So 7-Up was a real step up, moniker-wise. The brand really got a boost in
the late 60's when J. Walter Thompson got gutsy with Coke and Pepsi by positioning it
as "The Uncola." The first spots featured Peter Maxesque counterculture animation. A
great touch was a typical Coke soda-fountain glass being turned upside down. 7-Up
actually marketed Uncola glasses. (I bought some!) Later 7-Up campaigns never
matched the smarts and sass of this ground-breaking one.
Agency: J. Walter Thompson
1967
#4. "Speedy Alka Seltzer"
That geeky little guy with the tablet cap and the big smile sure sold a lot of antacid,
didn't he? His original name was Sparky, but a suit at the client changed it to Speedy to
pump their tagline, Speedy Relief. Good move. The character was voiced by radio actor
Dick Beals and starred in a decade's worth of spots (about 200!) from '54 to '64.
Alka Seltzer, Miles Laboratories
Agency: The Wade Agency (Later Wells Rich Greene for "Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz)
Director: Swift Chaplin Productions (in glorious "pixillation" animation)
Original Sculptor: Duke Russell
"Plop, Plop" Composer: Tom Dawes, Twin Star Music
1964–1980 (sporadically)
That geeky little guy with the tablet cap and the big smile sure sold a lot of antacid,
didn't he? His original name was Sparky, but a suit at the client changed it to Speedy to
pump their tagline, Speedy Relief. Good move. The character was voiced by radio actor
Dick Beals and starred in a decade's worth of spots (about 200!) from '54 to '64.
Alka Seltzer, Miles Laboratories
Agency: The Wade Agency (Later Wells Rich Greene for "Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz)
Director: Swift Chaplin Productions (in glorious "pixillation" animation)
Original Sculptor: Duke Russell
"Plop, Plop" Composer: Tom Dawes, Twin Star Music
1964–1980 (sporadically)
| I could not find a video of this commerical on the Internet. But you can read about John Elliott on the website of the Ensign John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for designated drivers at http://www.herocampaign.org/. |
| Too bad I could not find a video of this one either! |
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| This is not the complete commercial, but it shows the best part. |
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