Figure 1.-- The illustrations used in 19th century advertising was mostly illusdtrated with basic line drawings. Advances in lithography revolutionized advertizing in the 1900s. Halftones could now be reproduced. Photographs could now be printed at reasonable cost and without preparing an engraving. This also meant that much more elaborate drawings and oher art work could be incorporated into advertisements. This Hiire Rootbeer ad appeared in the "Ladies Home Journal" (July 1901). Note that although the ad shows the boy holding a commercial bottle with Hires Rootbeer on the label, the ad is pushing "a package" (presumably powder or concentrate) that will make five gallons of rootbeer by adding water.

This is an interesting ad for Hires Rootbeer that appeared prominently in the Ladies Home Journal for July, 1901, on page 1 of the magazine. Hires rootbeer was made in Malvern, Pennsylvania, but was one of the most popular soda pop drinks at the turn of the century and was loved by children all over the country. It had then the same kind of prominence in advertising that Coca Cola has today. This advertisement is intersting because it shows a boy and a girl of 1901 sitting on a bench and enjoying the beverage. What is notable of course is how dressed up the children are by today's standards.

Charles E. Hires Company

Hires rootbeer was made in Malvern, Pennsylvania, but was one of the most popular soda pop drinks at the turn of the century and was loved by children all over the country. It had then the same kind of prominence in advertising that Coca Cola has today. Hires also opened rootbear stand all over the country.

Adverisement

This is an interesting ad for Hires Rootbeer that appeared prominently in the Ladies Home Journal (July 1901) on page 1 of the magazine. The children may be represented as on some sort of outing, but the wooden bench could just be in a local park somewhere rather than a home porch swing. This is a little strange because Hires was morevlikely in 1901 to be consumed at home. The bird cages, of course, are added merely for comedy so that the parrot can answer the Owl in a "who?" / "you" exchange and are not meant to be realistic. Here's the ad copy text: "Why don't you drink Hires Rootbeer? Who-o? You! All Children love Hires Rootbeer. It gives them better health, brighter eyes and brighter minds because of the purer blood that goes to nourish body and brain. Give growing folks as well as grown folks all they want of Hires. Sold everywhere. A package makes five gallons. If you dealer hasn't it we send it my mail on receipt of 25 cents. Charles E. Hires Company, Malvern, Pa."

Ladies Home Journal

As the oldest still publishing, most respected women's service magazine in the country, The Ladies' Home Journal has always focused on issues of crucial importance to millions of women. Since its first issue in December 1883. This long history make The Ladies Home Journal and invaluable source of information on American fashion trends. Its covered an incredibly wide range of topics beyond just fashion, from the latest medical research and consumer news to parenting know-how, workplace survival, good skincare, nutrition facts and much, much more. It was The Ladies Home Journal who sucessfully merged the elements and produced the right formula, becoming the top ladies magazine in America. The Ladies' Home Journal both empowered women and applauded their growing power. We also notice patterns offered in the magazine.

Product

Note that although the ad shows the boy holding a commercial bottle with Hires Rootbeer on the label, the ad is pushing "a package" (presumably powder or concentrate) that will make five gallons of rootbeer by adding water. This was rather like Koolaide today only I think the Hires packet made a carbonated drink.

Clothing

This advertisement is intersting because it shows a boy and a girl of 1901 sitting on a bench and joying the beverage. What is notable of course is how dressed up the children are by today's standards. The boy wears summer knee pants or a light color (tan or even white) with a dark jacket and a blouse with a big floppy-bow necktie. He wears long black stockings with black dress shoes with ribbon ties. At the turn of the century we see now on shoes for both boys and girls. The girl wears a white dress with a colorful sash, black long stockings, and similar black shoes, also with ribbon ties. Modern advertisements showing children enjoying soda drinks would never show children nearly so dressed up just for ordinary activities. These children look as if they had just been to church. One of the most outrageous claims of the ad is that the sugary drink promotes "better health, brighter eyes and brigher minds because of the purer blood that goes to nourish body and brain". Today we know that drinking sugary soft drinks just promotes obesity in children. But in 1901 children were much more active physically. Most of them walked to school and exercised more.

Created: 8:53 PM 9/26/2009
Last updated: 8:53 PM 9/26/2009