Advertising

Advertising is meant to persuade, and the themes and techniques of that persuasion reveal a part of the nation's history. The Museum has preserved advertising campaigns for several familiar companies, such as Marlboro, Alka-Seltzer, Federal Express, Cover Girl, and Nike. It also holds the records of the NW Ayer Advertising Agency and business papers from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Carvel Ice Cream, and other companies. The Warshaw Collection of Business Americana comprises thousands of trade cards, catalogs, labels, and other business papers and images dating back to the late 1700s.

Beyond advertising campaigns, the collections encompass thousands of examples of packaging, catalogs, and other literature from many crafts and trades, from engineering to hat making. The collections also contain an eclectic array of advertising objects, such as wooden cigar-store Indians, neon signs, and political campaign ads.

This circular button has green text on a purple background that reads: FOREVER MAC. Running along the border of the circle is the phrase: WORDPERFECT. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/92 Gift.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has green text on a purple background that reads: FOREVER MAC. Running along the border of the circle is the phrase: WORDPERFECT. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/92 Gift.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.043
catalog number
2009.3071.043
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white text in a red design on a black background that reads: SUM II. Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh. The Norton Utilities for the Macintosh. Symantec.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text in a red design on a black background that reads: SUM II. Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh. The Norton Utilities for the Macintosh. Symantec.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.172
catalog number
2009.3071.172
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square-shaped button is designed to be worn as a diamond-shape.
Description
This square-shaped button is designed to be worn as a diamond-shape. It has a fluorescent orange background with purple text that reads: "WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE.” Below, in a purple rectangle with white text, it reads: "prograph.” A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "Mac World Boston 8/90."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.598
catalog number
2009.3071.598
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has red text on a white background that reads: I'm Bar Code Ready! It has blue text that reads: ScanPAC For ACCPAC Plus. It has images of barcodes at the top and bottom and the logos for Symbol and Computer Associates.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has red text on a white background that reads: I'm Bar Code Ready! It has blue text that reads: ScanPAC For ACCPAC Plus. It has images of barcodes at the top and bottom and the logos for Symbol and Computer Associates.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.256
catalog number
2009.3071.256
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has black text on an orange background that reads: SGML AT WORK. It has a black ArborText logo. A mark on the reverse reads: NetWorld 2/92.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has black text on an orange background that reads: SGML AT WORK. It has a black ArborText logo. A mark on the reverse reads: NetWorld 2/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.189
catalog number
2009.3071.189
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a white background with black text reading "INC.'S" and red text reading "HOT" next to an image of a chili pepper colored in red and green.
Description
This circular button has a white background with black text reading "INC.'S" and red text reading "HOT" next to an image of a chili pepper colored in red and green. The back reads "Comdex 11/94" in black permanent ink.
Compare 2009.3071.828, 2009.3071.829, and 2009.3071.830.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.830
catalog number
2009.3071.830
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on a white backgorund that reads: 3+ for Macintosh Exploding the Barriers. It has a color image of two computers with a red stick of dynamite between them.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white backgorund that reads: 3+ for Macintosh Exploding the Barriers. It has a color image of two computers with a red stick of dynamite between them.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2009.3071.146
catalog number
2009.3071.146
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has a yellow background. It has an image of a man wearing glasses and an orange cape. In yellow text it reads: Instant Winner. DacEasy. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has a yellow background. It has an image of a man wearing glasses and an orange cape. In yellow text it reads: Instant Winner. DacEasy. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.403
catalog number
2009.3071.403
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a white background with black text along the border that reads: SiteLock Prevents LAN Viruses. Brightwork Development, Inc. It also has a black and white image of a virus coming out of a computer.
Description
This circular button has a white background with black text along the border that reads: SiteLock Prevents LAN Viruses. Brightwork Development, Inc. It also has a black and white image of a virus coming out of a computer. The image is surrounded by red circle with a slash through it. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.055
catalog number
2009.3071.055
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black and blue text on a white background that reads: THLINK! (The H and L are connected). A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black and blue text on a white background that reads: THLINK! (The H and L are connected). A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.214
catalog number
2009.3071.214
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Register to win a Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, or 170 March 18 6 - 9 pm Presidential Suite, Westin Hotel, Seattle. It has a black outline of a PowerBook and a solid black Apple logo.
Description
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Register to win a Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, or 170 March 18 6 - 9 pm Presidential Suite, Westin Hotel, Seattle. It has a black outline of a PowerBook and a solid black Apple logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.145
catalog number
2009.3071.145
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a blue compass background that reads: I Found It. It has a red Datapro Software Finder logo. A markk in back ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a blue compass background that reads: I Found It. It has a red Datapro Software Finder logo. A markk in back ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.503
catalog number
2009.3071.503
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has yellow and white text on a black background that reads: Bring Your Brain. Voyager. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/94.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has yellow and white text on a black background that reads: Bring Your Brain. Voyager. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/94.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.410
catalog number
2009.3071.410
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a yellow background with black text that reads: "TOSHIBA Uninterruptible Power Systems. In the center is a black sketch like drawing of a computer tower. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "CDX '91'.”Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a yellow background with black text that reads: "TOSHIBA Uninterruptible Power Systems. In the center is a black sketch like drawing of a computer tower. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "CDX '91'.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.572
catalog number
2009.3071.572
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white and yellow text on a blue background that reads: Aldus Design Team. It has yellow and red designs on background and in the word “design”.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white and yellow text on a blue background that reads: Aldus Design Team. It has yellow and red designs on background and in the word “design”.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.493
catalog number
2009.3071.493
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on an American flag background that reads: I FAXED my Congressman. At the bottom in black is the Futuresoft logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring 5/93.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on an American flag background that reads: I FAXED my Congressman. At the bottom in black is the Futuresoft logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring 5/93.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.494
catalog number
2009.3071.494
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has green text on a white background that reads: DO It On Your Desktop (Five Ways!). The 'O' in "DO" is the ALACRITy logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex L.V. 11/92.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has green text on a white background that reads: DO It On Your Desktop (Five Ways!). The 'O' in "DO" is the ALACRITy logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex L.V. 11/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.413
catalog number
2009.3071.413
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white and purple text on a yellow background that reads: Microsoft Windows Computing. Experience It! Applications Networking Systems Support. It has the Microsoft Windows logo with an image of a hand reaching towards it.
Description
This square button has white and purple text on a yellow background that reads: Microsoft Windows Computing. Experience It! Applications Networking Systems Support. It has the Microsoft Windows logo with an image of a hand reaching towards it. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads:Spring Comdex '91.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
maker
Microsoft Corporation
ID Number
2009.3071.272
catalog number
2009.3071.272
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I've Got Your Number? In black text are the numbers 2326. At the bottom of the button is the Morton Management logo.
Description
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I've Got Your Number? In black text are the numbers 2326. At the bottom of the button is the Morton Management logo. The attached blue ribbon has an image of an old computer and white text that reads: GigaRak Morton Management. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.491
catalog number
2009.3071.491
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has black text on yellow background that reads: Ask me about AccuText. Xerox imaging Systems, Inc. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on yellow background that reads: Ask me about AccuText. Xerox imaging Systems, Inc. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MacWorld Boston 8/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.499
catalog number
2009.3071.499
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a blue background that reads: Collaborative workgroups do it in real time! The Virtual Notebook System. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Groupware '93 San Jose 8/10/93.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a blue background that reads: Collaborative workgroups do it in real time! The Virtual Notebook System. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Groupware '93 San Jose 8/10/93.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.333
catalog number
2009.3071.333
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has a white background on which is a black and white image of a man on the telephone. Red text reads: "I'm A Savvy Marketer!". A blue and yellow "ZD Classified Advertising Group" logo is at the bottom.
Description
This circular button has a white background on which is a black and white image of a man on the telephone. Red text reads: "I'm A Savvy Marketer!". A blue and yellow "ZD Classified Advertising Group" logo is at the bottom. The reverse reads "Spring Comdex '91" in red permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.654
catalog number
2009.3071.654
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button is designed in style of Piet Mondrian, with squares and rectangles of varying sizes in white, black, yellow, blue and red. A large red section in the lower right-hand corner has black text that reads: COMDEX .
Description
This square button is designed in style of Piet Mondrian, with squares and rectangles of varying sizes in white, black, yellow, blue and red. A large red section in the lower right-hand corner has black text that reads: COMDEX . A yellow rectangle set within the red section with black text reads: CHICAGO.A white rectangle within a red section with black text reads vertically: 1992. A white rectangle in the upper right-hand corner with blue a HP logo and black text reads: HEWLETT PACKARD. A blue rectangle with white text reads vertically: POWERFUL. A white rectangle with black text reads: RELIABLE. A yellow rectangle with black text reads vertically: Friendly. A red section with black text reads curved: INNOVATIVE. White text on alternating blue and black rectangles reads: HP AND ME. A mark on the reverse reads "CDX 4/92" in green ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
maker
Hewlett-Packard Company
ID Number
2009.3071.634
catalog number
2009.3071.634
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This clear plastic McDonald’s® premium toy bag was used to distribute toy #2, “Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head.” The bags were used to package McDonald’s® toys inside the Happy Meal® box.
Description
This clear plastic McDonald’s® premium toy bag was used to distribute toy #2, “Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head.” The bags were used to package McDonald’s® toys inside the Happy Meal® box. The premium bag has Ronald McDonald and the golden arches logo printed on one side and pertinent toy information printed inside a blue box. On the reverse, warning information regarding the toys has been printed for consumers. The Happy Meal® was released in 1979 as a way to package a meal together in a fun, collectible container that appealed to children. Happy Meals® have since become progressively more elaborate in the type of food offered (with various healthier options) and the premiums available with the meal. In 1996, McDonald’s® and Disney signed a 10 year, exclusive partnership agreement where McDonald’s® was able to use Disney characters for Happy Meal® premiums and Disney would receive free promotion of upcoming movies through McDonald’s®. This partnership appeared like a natural fit for the two companies since they had an overlapping market base. From November 26, 1999 through December 23, 1999, McDonald’s® marketed the Toy Story 2 Happy Meal® premiums.
The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1999
ID Number
2012.3045.06
catalog number
2012.3045.06
nonaccession number
2012.3045

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.