Here are some scans from an uncommon flyer, in conjunction with the short-lived Tomorrowland display (sponsored by Monsanto), "Fashion and Fabrics Through the Ages" (1965 - 1966). Here's the front:
Hopefully you waited until you got home to unfold it, since it was a bit unwieldy! Here's one entire side of the flyer.
For those of you who wanted to read the text, this oughta be sufficient. The company clearly wanted you to be excited about the many possibilities offered by the latest space-age synthetic fibers and fabrics.
Examples of dresses of the past - presumably reproductions! - go all the way back to Cleopatra, the Napoleonic Era, Mary Todd Lincoln, the flappers of the 1920's, and even Hollywood glamour girl Jean Harlow.
The other side unfolded to a sort of mini-poster. What am I doing wearing this crummy cotton when I could wear comfortable, easy-to-care-for Acrilan, Nylon, and Rayon? All of the other moon people are going to laugh at me.
The lady in the middle is about to head to Carousel, because the red crystal on her palm is flashing red. It was nice knowing you...
I hope you have enjoyed this neat piece of Disneyland ephemera!
Major-
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how Monsanto quickly glosses-over the fact nylon was developed by its major competitor - DuPont.
More-importantly, however, after reading thru this brochure, I feel my entire wardrobe is inadequate, and later today I'll be burning it all, to be replaced with garments exclusively-made from "... synthetic yarns, the natural beauty and functional qualities [of which] are so desirable for today's living". Thank God for 'man's scientific genius', making all these fine, ready-to-wear garments, possible. After all... Without chemicals... oh, you all know the rest-!
Thanks, Major.
Do we know exactly where this attraction was located? Personally, I think this "walk-thru" exhibit would have been better as an Omnimover "ride-thru" with audio-animatronic figures wearing the clothing samples.
ReplyDeleteOh...and Major, there is no sanctuary.
"Lastday, Capricorn 29's. Year of the City: 2274. Carousel begins."
ReplyDeleteSo Major, are you a Sandman or a runner?
What an awesome piece of ephemera. I knew about the exhibit but have never seen this flyer before. It's a beauty! You find some amazing stuff. Thanks, Major!
P.S. That movie is awesome in all it's pre-Star Wars sci-fi 1970's glory.
"Thank goodness you're wearing modern fabrics, Mrs. Lincoln. That blood should rinse right out!"
ReplyDeleteNanook, it might just be a case of mentioning another important synthetic fiber, without necessarily taking credit for it. Nylon was a pretty big deal! And like you, I now hate all of my cotton and wool items. Onto the bonfire they go! Not my cashmere sweaters though, let’s not go crazy.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic! parts of this exhibit definitely were echoed at the end of “Adventure Thru Inner Space” (see the post from a few days ago), and they even had Omnimovers!
K. Martinez, I guess I’m more of a runner. Especially if I can run around with Jenny Agutter! I haven’t seen “Logan’s Run” for decades, but I loved it when I was a kid. I have friends who say it is cheesy as heck and terrible.
MonkeyMensch, you really know how to find that silver lining!
Logan's Run was filmed right here in good ol' Dallas! It's funny to see landmarks in the movie...
ReplyDeleteFish and sea greens, plankton and protein from the sea!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to laugh at what reads like hyperbole today, but synthetic and blended fibers liberated generations of women from spending an entire day per week scrubbing and ironing. The Carousel of Progress scene that mentions the first washing machines ought to have a line or two about modern fabrics, but I guess that would have involved Monsanto and General Electric working together and arguing over who paid for how much advertising time.
As my aunt used to say, "Thank God I wasn't born one minute earlier than I was!"
I know I'm a day late, but just wanted to add that the dresses were not reproductions, but actual vintage outfits on loan from a collector. She also had a separate set of vintage (but not famous) outfits that she would rent out for movies (such as My Fair Lady). Thanks aw always for another great post!
ReplyDeleteStuart Powley, yeah, it's always fun to see a place in a film that you know well. I didn't know they filmed Logan's Run in Dallas!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, hey, I like some synthetic fibers just fine! Nice nice cotton/poly blend, or whatever. And I still dress like M.C. Hammer, parachute pants made from real nylon parachute material.
Brad Abbot, wow, that's amazing. She had a real gown belonging to Mary Todd Lincoln? Surely not a genuine Cleopatra dress! Still, that's a neat bit of knowledge you have dropped on us!