Update: I have added this clip to the blog even though it doesn’t fit. I cannot get it on any smaller…. Thanks to Bo Sullivan, who works with Rejuvenation Lighting, for the tip on this 1949 film created to help postwar homeowner owners create the efficient kitchen of their dreams. It’s interesting to understand the context for films like this. After World War II, housewives did need educating on how to design a modern kitchen. But I think the bigger purpose of this propaganda — and it IS propaganda — was to incite homeowners to part with their hard-earned war-time savings.
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After the grueling lessons of the Great Depression, folks were still very very conservative about tapping into their bank accounts — or just as likely, raiding the stash of cash under their mattresses or buried next to the barn. They DID have money. During the war, there were a lot of jobs — but little to spend your money on, because of rationing and all the materials going toward the construction of wartime armaments. After the war, there was tremendous new capacity available for consumer goods. But, Americans didn’t want to spend on discretionary consumer goods. They did buy houses But, they were Savers. And, the Government was Scared. They did not want the economic wheels grind to a halt and cause another depression. Hence films like this. It wasn’t until 1953 that Americans really started to cut loose their dollars. Another story for another day…
Video source: The excellent archives.org.
gab18481 says
Well….that was fabulous. While I think the garbage hole in the counter might be convenient, I could see that being a bit of a mess in my kitchen. I mean, I’d have to clean the garbage pail/hole every single day or it would be stinky. 😉
ELS says
You know, I think that garbage pail idea might be the answer to my “mystery” drawer. I will now have to grab a flashlight and check out the underside of my counter to see if the hole was patched or otherwise tiled over.
What a great video. It may answer answer a few of my kitchen design mysteries.
Miranda says
People who are having issues with sound, there is a link to the video at the Prelinger Archives.
http://www.archive.org/details/StepSavi1949
famousgirl says
No sound here either…tried to find at YouTube with no luck…link please or search term?? THX!
Joyce says
Ugh I’m an idiot and replied to someone else’s post…sorry! lol
Anyway, I wasn’t able to hear anything either, but was able to view the video here with sound: http://www.archive.org/details/StepSavi1949
🙂
gab18481 says
I’ve got no sound either.
Urbanitra says
P.S. I don’t even eat potatoes and I want a potato bin. Yep, worked on me.
Urbanitra says
WOW! I love it! There are so many good, space saving ideas. I love all the built in bins, the pull out towel rack and the cookbook holder! Why have these things gone away? I know houses got bigger as the decades passed, but all those little houses are still around (I live in one of them). THis makes me want to go out and organize my kitchen, maybe redo some things. The propaganda worked on me…even 60 years later!
Heather says
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing … had to go to the original to hear the sound, but worth the effort. And I agree with you when you said “But I think the bigger purpose of this propaganda — and it IS propaganda — was to incite homeowners to part with their hard-earned war-time savings.”
Maryanna says
I can’t get the sound to work on this particular video either, but I believe it’s the same one I’ve seen on YouTube. I love watching old films like these. 🙂
50sgal says
I always love this video. We talked about it on my blog a while back and it honestly helped some people who were trying to really think about design for their kitchen. So much more helpful than worrying about if you kitchen looks like it’s from a movie about a Tuscon castle, but to actually have a kitchen one can function and work in. I plan, myself, to have those pull out bins, as I go through so much flour and so many potatoes.
I also enjoyed your tutorial videos you did before, very informative.
I can’t seem to get the sound to work on it, though, but it maybe it’s my computer.
Joyce says
I love this kitchen!! All the convenience and smart ideas! Wonder if the plans (mentioned in the film) are still out there somewhere…