This book covers the role of advertising from when the first newspapers and bill posters were published in Australia until television. It covers in much detail the development of commerce along with advertising.
| Publisher: | Doubleday Australia Limited, 14 Mars Road, Lane Cove NSW. 1981 |
| Author: | John Bryden-Brown |
| ISBN: | 9780868240343 ISBN 10: 0868240648 |
| Characteristics: | 26.0 x 26.0cms, 240pp, b/w Illusts Fine Soft Cover |
| Source: |
Much history of Australia is covered, along with the advertising that drove and followed trends. Advertising is a reflection of society and a source of its change, and each aspect of Australian life is covered, including transport, lifestyle and wartime.
It appears, on reading case histories, the more religious or noble the employer the worse the conditions, and many members of today’s society owe their position and wealth to the brutal treatment of their ancestor’s employees. Frederick Grimwade, one of the founders of Felton Grimwade & Co., used his political position to oppose all forms of workers’ compensation, old age pensions etc.
Victa Lawnmowers
One example of how advertising can get a brand going was Victa Lawnmowers. Invented by Mervyn Richardson, a sales engineer, the Victa Lawnmower revolutionised home garden care. But without a brilliant marketing campaign with its famous slogan “turning grass into lawn”, the lawnmower might have never become an Australian icon.
Conclusion
For lovers of Australian history, not political history, but what shaped life for everyday Australians. For the more recent years it’s a pleasant walk down a familar road with old ads you recognise. An excellent read. Unfortunately not much chance of an update to include the effects of the internet.
