Here are three visual resources to discuss change over time, compare and contrast, or multiple perspectives.
1. 1950s 7up Ads
Shockingly, in the ’50s, 7up encouraged parents to feed their babies soda, claiming “7Up is so pure, so wholesome, you can even give it to babies and feel good about it.”
See the ads at Adage.com.
In Class Bring in ads and discuss the lengths companies will go to when bringing in customers. What claims do ads make now that might be ridiculous in the future? What are the ethics of advertising? How should ads be regulated by the government? What makes a good ad and what makes a bad one?
2. Company Logos
I love this one! How have company logos changed over time? Take a look at Pepsi’s original pirate-style logo and note that Nokia used to have a huge scary fish as their logo. I think Canon’s original 1934 logo is especially awesome.
See the logos at InstantShift.com.
In Class Consider the bigger pattern of how all of these logos have changed. What is the trend in logo design? Do colors change? Do ideas get simpler or more complex? Are certain fonts more popular at different times? Have kids bring in current logos and look for these patterns with modern design as well.
3. 1889’s Beauty Tips
From a chapter in 1889’s Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information: tips on how to look your best! Highlights include:
- wash your eyes with soap or perfume
- never wash your hair, just dust it off
- trim those eyelashes
Head to Mental Floss for some more tips.
In Class Have students bring in current beauty tips and discuss how things have changed over time. Speculate on how people in 2050 might look back at our own tips. Find ads for beauty products and compare/contrast their strategies to appeal to customers.