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Table of Contents
OAH Magazine of History
The OAH thanks the
Merck Company Foundation for its
generous support for this issue of the
OAH Magazine of History
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Illustrations Business and Domesticity: Cooking, Lighting, and Heating the American HomeMark Rosellustrations to Accompany the Teaching Strategy
 Illustration #1. This ad for the General Electric Company appeared on the back cover of Electric St. Louis, a magazine aimed at the general public (including women). The Electric St. Louis Publishing Company published it to promote the use of electric power. Note the male engineers and businessmen in the background developing "cheaper electricity and successful invention" in order "to banish the saying that 'Woman's work is never done.'" Electric St. Louis 4 (May 1913). (Private collection)  Illustration #2. Mrs. Wiegel, Tennessee farm wife in her kitchen, 1942. This idealized photo taken by Arthur Rothstein depicts the ease with which the “modern” housewife could now prepare meals. At that time, however, few farm families had access to electric or gas service; even many urban householders could not afford it. Nevertheless, these photos and countless other promotions helped prepare Americans to participate in the consumer society that materialized after 1945 with the end of World War II and the return of prosperity. (Courtesy of Library of Congress) |
