The early 20th century was no picnic, to put it mildly. In the aftermath of World War I, outbreaks of influenza and polio killed thousands of people in America. As the relationship between health and sanitation became clear, the plumbing industry took steps to assure a worried populace it was in good hands. This image was produced in the 1930s by the then-fledgling American Standard company. I appreciate how it projects confidence, decency and optimism—especially as it appeared in the visual wake of the fierce I-Want-You visage of Uncle Sam.
Working Class Hero
The early 20th century was no picnic, to put it mildly. In the aftermath of World War I, outbreaks of influenza and polio killed thousands of people in America. As the relationship between health and sanitation became clear, the plumbing industry took steps to assure a worried populace it was in good hands. This image was produced in the 1930s by the then-fledgling American Standard company. I appreciate how it projects confidence, decency and optimism—especially as it appeared in the visual wake of the fierce I-Want-You visage of Uncle Sam.