City of Seattle, Dept. of Lighting advertising scrapbooks, 1954-1974.

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City of Seattle, Dept. of Lighting advertising scrapbooks, 1954-1974.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71014714

Five scrapbooks of newspaper, magazine, and other advertisements publicizing the Dept. of Lighting, products and appliances, developments in hydroelectric power, and the city of Seattle itself. Products and services advertised include electric stoves, water heaters, air conditioning, and heat; dishwashers and dryers, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, appear frequently in advertisements. Ads for the "Medallion home symbol" are also common. The symbol indicated that a home had been inspected by the department and met certain standards for lighting and appliances. The department advertised its twenty-four-hour repair service and even its home economics dept., intended to "help customers realize the full benefits of modern electric living." Local businesses were often spotlighted to display the advantages of electric kitchens or outdoor lighting. Special events, such as the Century 21 Exposition, the opening of the Gorge Dam on the Skagit River, and the Seattle home show, also figure prominently in departmental advertisements. While advertisements in the 1950s and 1960s focus on the low rates and high power consumption enjoyed by Seattle citizens, rate increases, warnings about overconsumption, and energy conservation tips appear more frequently in later advertisements. Advertisements from the 1970s reflect growing awareness of diversity and include sponsored ads for Black History Month (detailing the lives of prominent African-American leaders) and promoting the department's equal opportunity hiring practices.

5 v.

Seattle Municipal Archives

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8072238

Related Entities

There are 2 Entities related to this resource.

Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, WA)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65824w6 (corporateBody)

World's fair. 1962. From the description of Century 21 Exposition records, 1957-1963 (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 123949294 ...

Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Lighting.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6z0956p (corporateBody)

Seattle City Light provides electricity and electrical and conservation services to its public and private customers. It is the largest public utility in the Pacific Northwest. Public responsibility for electrical energy dates to 1890 with creation of the Dept. of Lighting and Water Works. In 1902, Seattle voters passed a bond issue to develop hydroelectric power on the Cedar River under the administration of the Water Dept. Electricity from this development began to serve Seattle in 1905. A cit...