Well, let me tell you, back in the day, that Gilded Age, things were sure different. They had these things called advertisements, all over the place. Just like now, I reckon, but different. All them fancy pictures and words, trying to get you to buy stuff.
Them Fancy Ads
They was selling all sorts of things. Carriages, you know, like them fancy cars folks drive now. Only they was pulled by horses. And clothes! Land sakes, the clothes they’d try to sell you. Big dresses and hats, not like the simple things we wore. They had the advertisements from the gilded age all the time.
- Fancy Carriages
- Big Dresses
- Them Hats
They was always putting these ads everywhere. In them newspapers, and on posters, and even on little cards they’d hand out. It was a sight, I tell ya. And they had all these words, trying to make you think you needed what they was selling. This Gilded Age advertising is really crazy.
What Were They Sellin’?
Oh, honey, they sold everything under the sun. They made advertisements from the gilded age. Like I said, them carriages. But also, things for your house, like lamps and furniture. And food! They even had ads for food, trying to make you think their brand was better than what you could grow yourself or get from your neighbor.
They was even selling things like soap and medicine. Like they had the new stuff. It is just the advertising in the gilded age. I guess folks wanted to try new things, even back then. But I always figured, what’s wrong with what we got? Seems like a lot of fuss over nothing, if you ask me. The advertisements from the gilded age are so many.
- Lamps and things
- Food, even!
- Soap and such
Was It Like Today?
Well, in some ways, it was. They was trying to get your attention, just like them commercials on the TV now. And they was using pretty pictures and fancy words, just like now. But it was different, too. Things weren’t so fast-paced back then. You didn’t have all them ads coming at you all the time, like on the internet or your phone. The advertisements from the gilded age are everywhere.
And the things they was selling, well, they was different. Not so much of this electronic stuff. More things for the home, and clothes, and things like that. They want to sell more and make the big money. It is the best way to do advertising in the gilded age.
- Same, but different
- Slower back then
- Not so much electronic stuff
Did Folks Believe It?
Some did, I reckon. Just like now, some folks are more likely to believe what they see in an ad. But I think most folks back then were pretty smart. They knew that an ad was just trying to sell them something. They didn’t just believe everything they read. It is the normal advertising in the gilded age.
And they talked to each other more, I think. If someone bought something from an ad, they’d tell their neighbors about it. So word would get around, whether something was good or not. Not like today. Everyone buys what they want. It is the best to talk to your neighbors.
- Some did believe
- Most were smart
- Word got around
What’s the Big Deal?
Well, honey, it’s just interesting to see how things have changed. And how they haven’t. Folks are still trying to sell you things, just like they did back in the Gilded Age. And they’re still using a lot of the same tricks. Pretty pictures, and fancy words, and trying to make you think you need something you don’t. I think it is just a way to make the money.
But it’s also a reminder that folks back then weren’t so different from us. They had the same wants and needs. They wanted nice things, and they wanted to make their lives better. Just like we do. The advertisements from the gilded age are just too many and I don’t like it.
- Things change, things stay the same
- Same tricks, same wants and needs
So, next time you see an ad, whether it’s on your phone or on a billboard, just think about them folks back in the Gilded Age. They was dealing with the same thing, just in a different way. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be a little smarter about what you believe and what you buy. Don’t just buy anything, you have to think about it. You don’t want to waste your money, honey.
