What do Spangles, Polaroid Cameras, Green Shield Stamps and the ITV Seven have in common? Readers under 35 years of age may have to ask a grownup.
The answer is, they are all things that were created, blazed across our culture, and disappeared forever during the 20th Century.
This book is a gentle romp through a lost world of Petrol Pump Attendants, Rag and Bone Men and Lighthouse Keepers, all trades sadly passed into history by the march of progress. Each item has a paragraph about its invention, lifespan and decline, and has a Dodo rating, similar to our Mr. Mushroom Head. Even the Technology section recalls some lost items - Commodore Vic 20 anyone? Laser disc? Betamax video player? Sooooo last century, darlings!
There's a lovely section on countries that don't exist any more, from Abyssinia to Zaire and Zanzibar, which recalled long-ago Geography lessons. And one of High Street Shops, from 'Our Price' to Athena and Rumbelows. I learned that Green Shield Stamp shops were turned into the first Argos shops. Wonder how long THEY will last?
Mr. Slack has researched his topic well, and I enjoyed reading about food, sweets and a way of life that has gone. It's a lovely little volume that anyone over thirty will enjoy,and those pesky kids could read, to help them understand a little of what their elders are talking about.
Four mushroom heads. And a small quiz. Complete the advertising slogans:
A finger of fudge is just enough to ....
A man's gotta chew what ...
For mash get ....
Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ...
I'm a secret ...
Happiness is ...
All because the lady loves ...
Hello Tosh, ...
Boldnotold
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