It's funny how an everyday household item can suddenly provide inspiration.
The other day, as I fumbled around in my cupboard for some tea, the Morton Salt Girl caught my eye.
"Hello! What a sleek bob you have." I was intrigued.
Always a sucker for a brand's heritage, I took a tour of Morton's vintage ads and learned that America's salt of choice for flavoring beef is also your best bet in preventing a goiter!
A salt that moonlights as a medicinal aid? Tell me more!
OK.
Everyone knows how utterly embarrassing it can be when you pour the salt at a dinner party and—gasp!—it won't come out. With Morton, you'll never have to suffer through another experience like this. The salt always pours, even in inclement weather!
Sally, please! Don't yank my chain!
But it's true.
And for those of you who've been wondering how Miss Morton's hair has stayed frizz-free amid a 94-year rainstorm, or how she maintains those cellulite-free gams, secret's out!: "Whenever we start to show our age, we do a little face lifting. Isn't that just like a woman?"
D'oh! You're crossing the line, Sam!
So I scoped out Miss Morton's bio and, turns out, she's evolved with the times:
Since her most recent makeover in 1968, the current Umbrella Girl has been with us through moon launches, hip-hop and the growth of the Internet.
A nod to Rihanna? My word, Miss Morton! Sh-sh-sh-shake it sister.*
*I said "shake," not "pour." Shake the salt. You're letting it out all over the g-damn neighborhood, Molly! SHAKE IT!!
25 comments:
I love coming here :)
i adore the morton salt girl! thank you for the lovely history lesson, quite enjoyable...oh, and for the tip about the goiter too...lol.
lols! OMG.
packaging: i love it!
salt as meds: um, just no.
where i come from, the sell msg in nice packaging and sell them in the salt aisle. they even have funny mascots and fancy jingles. and this is as present time! agh.
seriously, i never really thought about salt packaging. all i have is my generic safeway salt. i think i will get morton's next time.
see how easily persuaded i am with fancy packaging?
oh, and thank you for saying such sweet things lilbee :) xoxo
Oh Miss Morton!!!
How intriguing! I love reading old ads and the ridiculous, non scientific claims they used to make! Very believable back then though! I am thoroughly enjoying your blog... will add you to my daily stalking list! A-M xx
I love this kind of stuff. She's adorable. Very Milly Molly Mandy. Why is she in the rain? Has it something to do with the fact the salt always "pours"? Hmmm. Thanks for popping by my bloghouse. Sorry I've been out. It's school hols here and I'm on border security. (I am a 34-year-old step parent to a 21, 19, 17 and 14-year-old). Argggh. It's diabolical. I can never get near the computer. I'll have a better stop through at your bloghouse when I get a chance. Hmm, put the kettle on.
fun retrospective!
cute blog! The Morton girl is a doll! Thanks for the (hi)story lesson. :)
Interesting read and we all learned something today....a good day indeed!
She's a fine little thing, isn't she?!
I just love your blog!
OK, you are the best. "Hello! What a sleek bob you have." Really now. Are you me?
Love this posting! Reminds me of art school... learning a product design and packaging... very interesting!
BTW...
The Italian Laundry bookmark could me yours... I still have it... email me: fifi@fififlowersdesign.com if you are interested and I will send you a pay pal invoice... and send it right away!
This girl gets around! Great little history.
As always I don't know how you do it, Bee? Salt as blog topic? Boring? Oh no...not at all! LOL
So in the "goiter pic"? What exactly is the little girl praying to...the goiter gods? And the boy is looking at his Mom with a fondness that is typically reserved for Barbra Streisand.
Embarrassed that your salt won't pour? How about embarrassed that your husband won't stop pouring himself another drink at the dinner table? Yeah, Charlie tell us AGAIN what a frickin' genius you are at that ad agency! (You misogynistic lush!)
I suppose "Charlie" came up with the brilliant idea to compare table salt with a woman's incessant desire for continuous plastic surgery? Then how about drumming up a comparison to that cast iron skillet that's gonna "pepper" your head when this dinner party is over!
Ya', bastards!
OMG...you have such talent my dear! I *LOVED* this post.
Thank you for kick starting my day....I'm still grinning from ear to ear.
Very Nice, M.Bee. I'm smiling and thinking of dear ol' Miss Morten, who's all dressed tip-top for her day out in the 94-year rain. You have a gift for blogging.
you never cease to make me smile Lil Bee...I just want to create a silhouette or little Miss. Morton...how cute it she?
ok, so that last comment of yours did it - i have to add you to my blog roll!
xo
Kelly
I can always count on your for entertaining education.
I will never look at my salt the same way...you slay me girlie!
Love the Morton's gal! Every time I go to Chicago I always love seeing the Morton Salt building, it is one of the few companies advertising with such a timeless icon. It also means I am that much closer to my hotel and a martini at the hotel bar.
Why aren't there more blogs devoted to the treatment of goiters? WHY?
I salute you, Bee, for your charitable efforts.
I came back to my apartment one day and found this salt in the kitchen, but having grown up with it, thought nothing of it. My boyfriend, who grew up in South Africa, had picked it up at the store, and was so surprised I didn't think anything of it. I had never noticed what a funky package it really was until he pointed it out. -X
It IS a travesty that more posts aren't devoted to goiters, isn't it SGM?
Wow! What a great post!! I loved seeing how the morton girl evolved over time:-) Thanks for the lesson and great blog!!
Post a Comment