Mass-produced consumer goods like automobiles and ready-to-wear clothes were not new to the 1920s, nor were advertising or mail-order catalogues. But something was new about Americans' relationship with manufactured products, and it was accelerating faster than it could be defined. Not only did the latest goods become necessities, consumption itself became a necessity, it seemed. Was that good for America? Yes, said some—people can live in unprecedented comfort and material security. Not so fast, said others—can we predict where consumerism will take us before we're inextricably there?
Collected commentary___
The Cathedrals of Fifth Avenue___
Humorists on salesmanship___
Silent theater commercials___
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Collected commentary 16 pp. 2 pp. 2 pp. 2 pp. View online. 22 pp. |