Consumer Culture Through Time

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Consumer Culture Through Time

In our recent BUA 474 class on March 5th, we took a trip to the Museum of Brands in West London. Who knew that such a museum existed! We viewed an exhibit called the 'Time Tunnel', which took us through different marketing tactics spanning from the Victorian era to the digital age. This experience took us through pivotal moments in history, showcasing products tied to both World Wars, royal coronations, the invention of railways, motor cars and aero planes, the moon landing, and finally the dawn of the digital era.

As we navigated the exhibit, we were prompted to examine the collections and determine the underlying message, drawing parallels with marketing themes in the United States. We encountered familiar brands that still exist today, showing how their designs have evolved in response to changing consumer interests over the years.

One collection focused on World War II, where posters and children's books were linked with political objectives. Cookbooks were labeled "Cooking in Wartime," posters proclaimed, "Mrs. Smith is helping to win the war!" and children's books were titled "The Defense ABCs," "Tanks in Action," and "Victory Forces." This showcased how organizations aimed to engage the community in wartime initiatives. Similar tactics were used in the United States in iconic campaigns such as Rosie the Riveter.

These offsite visits, hold immense value for students. They bridge the gap between in class learning and real-world experiences, allowing students to individually interpret the material and add unique insights that enrich class discussions and deepen our understanding of the subject matter.

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