The League of Honest Coffee Lovers

The Pan-American Coffee Bureau was a marketing organization that represented coffee growers from Central and South America. In 1959, it created and promoted the "League of Honest Coffee Lovers." This was a pseudo-grassroots league of Americans rallying to demand stronger coffee.

Apparently American coffee had been getting weaker and weaker. In 1950 it was common for restaurants to brew 46 cups from a pound of coffee. By 1959, by adding more water, they were getting 64 cups from a pound. The Pan-American Coffee Bureau wanted to stop this trend.

The League of Honest Coffee Lovers was, itself, just a flash in the pan. But the Pan-American Coffee Bureau had a huge influence on American coffee culture. It's credited with creating the term "coffee break" and getting lots of people to take them. It popularized the year-round drinking of iced coffee. And ultimately it did get Americans drinking stronger coffee.

More info: Lens Coffee

Life - Jan 11, 1960

Those who agreed with the goals of the League of Honest Coffee Lovers could send away and get a certificate of membership.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 28, 2024 - Comments (4)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Advertising, Coffee and other Legal Stimulants, 1950s

Fran the Formfit Gal

The premise of corporate mascot Fran is that she traveled the world, wowing people everywhere with her Formfit underwear.

Photoplay - Oct 1955

Look - Sep 20, 1955

Photoplay - Dec 1955

Coronet - May 1955

Posted By: Alex - Tue Sep 24, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Advertising, Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings, Underwear, 1950s

Follies of the Madmen #606

Insane adult co-opts kids in his cereal scheme.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 23, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Advertising, Cereal, Cartoons, 1960s, Mental Health and Insanity

Va-rice-ity

Heavy sexual innuendo to sell rice.

Life - Oct 3, 1969

Life - (L) Mar 13, 1970; (R) June 19, 1970

Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 19, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Food, Innuendo, Double Entendres, Symbolism, Nudge-Nudge-Wink-Wink and Subliminal Messages, Advertising, 1960s, 1970s

Follies of the Madmen #605

Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 15, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Advertising, Cereal, Infantilism, 1960s

The Second Home

Surprise, honey, we're going to be living in a camper shell!

TV Guide - Jan 10, 1970

Posted By: Alex - Fri Sep 06, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Advertising, 1970s, Trucks

Dancing Fools

BULLETIN! Fresh outbreak of the Medieval Dancing Mania!

Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 01, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Advertising, 1970s, Dance

Follies of the Madmen #604

"No more washee, washee! Melican man wear celluloid collar and cuff!"

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 29, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Fashion, Stereotypes and Cliches, Advertising, Asia, Nineteenth Century

In three weeks he may be dead…

Look at Bambi lying in a field. Bambi will be dead soon.

Sports Illustrated - July 1970

Coincidentally, this ad appeared within a year of the release of the classic animated short "Bambi Meets Godzilla." Perhaps the ad men had seen Marv Newland's film. Newland went into advertising after making his film, so it's at least possible.

Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 28, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Advertising, Cartoons, 1960s, 1970s

A Woman’s Perspiration

Anatomical horror from the advertising industry:

American Girl - July 1963

American Girl - Sep 1964

Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 25, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Advertising, 1960s, Women, Perfume and Cologne and Other Scents