A Job Half Done Is A Job Not Done At All

I went to Starbucks three time while I was in Denver. What can I say, I like their hot chocolate. Anyway, on one visit I had to use the restroom. While I was washing my hands I noticed that the company had put a sign on the paper towel dispenser. Written across the top of the sign were the words EMPLOYEES MUST WASH THEIR HANDS and underneath those words were little cartoons showing them how to do so. The first cartoon showed a pair of hands under the sink faucet with the words WASH HANDS written under it. The next cartoon showed a pair of hands under an electric hand dryer with the words DRY HANDS under it. The final cartoon showed a hand holding a paper towel while turning off the faucet handle with the words USE PAPER TOWEL TO TURN OFF WATER underneath.

Now, I find this all commendable on the part of Starbucks. Hygiene seems to be very important to them as that extra step of turning off the faucet with a paper towel shows. At the same time I must point out that they did not have a cartoon showing the hands using a paper towel to open the door as they left the restroom. Not doing that kind of defeats the purpose of hand washing, doesn't it?

Engine Bearings, Mister?

Another one of those two color industry advertisements.


Time, February 21, 1955

Home Again

Let's see how long it takes me to get back in the grove.

Safe, Swift, Sure

Time, February 28, 1955

At one time this was the only way to get a package quickly across the country. Railway Express was the FedEx of its time.

This is one of several ads that I looked at which used only two colors, in this case black and red. Others used black and yellow or black and green. Not sure if it was the style of the time for certain types of advertisements or the style of one advertising agency. All the ads with this kind of presentation had something to do with heavy industry- things like shipbuilding, railroads, mining and industrial machinery.

A few more words about Railway Express here.

America's Most Smartly Different Car

(Time, January 10, 1955)

Love those chrome fake tail fins.

Introducing The Electric Typewriter

Time, 1955

Almost as big an office improvement as when Xerox photocopiers replaced mimeograph machines.

How Many States?

(Time, March 21, 1955)

Back when a woman did not leave the house without her hat and little white gloves. Well, in this woman's case, large white gloves.

And remember, "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star," just not in today's world since you will no longer find him at your local Texaco station. It's pump your own gasoline these days.

Eeee-ouch!

I got my ears pierced this morning. It wasn't that bad, more like having a large rubber-band snapped on my ear than having something sharp shoved through the lobe. I have been thinking about doing this ever since my niece had her ears done over ten years ago. So far I am happy with the results.

What Will They Think Of Next?

Time, April, 4, 1955

Back when there was one major phone company, "Ma Bell." Not only did they supply the service, they gave you a phone and would come and fix or replace it if you had a problem at no additional charge. These phones were tough. I know, my siblings and I would throw ours down the basement stairs once a day at one point in our lives. Didn't even scuff it up much.

Love Is Strange

I was driving south on Colorado Boulevard near Louisiana Avenue yesterday when I noticed a billboard advertising Hyde Park Jewelers. The ad had a photo of a fancy diamond ring with these worlds above it: That will show her friends.

So, the reason to buy the ring is not because you love your wife or girlfriend nor to prove to your wife or girlfriend how much you love her (something that is disturbing in itself) but as an F-you to her friends?