Reddy With Christmas Gift Ideas – 1953

Ad from Nov. 20, 1953 Lorain Journal

Nothing too shocking here on the blog today; just our annual Christmas visit with our old pal Reddy Kilowatt, who's helpfully generating some holiday gift ideas.

As noted on past posts, Reddy was usually willing to shill for electrical gifts from Westinghouse. Indeed, in this ad, it's an all-Westinghouse lineup. Here they are, with their prices in today's inflated dollars: a Food Crafter mixer ($517); a Roaster Oven ($506); Electric Blankets ($459 and $344); and a Pop-Up Toaster ($263).

It's funny how today, we have very different expectations for what we are willing to pay for the same type of items. I have a feeling that the 1953 products were built to last; why else would so many be on eBay today? 

Here's two toasters similar to the one shown in the ad. They're actually quite beautiful. 

I wouldn't say the same thing about my crumb-filled model with a plastic outer body. It's got a mind of its own, sometimes burning something on the lowest setting, other times barely browning something at all on the middle setting. Consequently I eat my toaster pastries raw.

Anyway, the Ohio Edison ad has a nice layout with some interesting typography at the top. (I originally thought that was some errant hair or fuzz on the 'C' in 'Christmas' – but it's part of the letter.)