Contents of the 1925 volume of Ladies’ Home Journal
by E. Iman, Biology Major, Fairleigh Dickinson University
In 1925, advertisements for health & wellness filled newspapers and magazines with bold claims and miracle cures, revealing how public health and social messaging has long been a powerful tool of influence, a method still used today in the information battles of modern society. The Ladies Home Journal was an influential work in print media during the 1900s that brought the world and its opportunities to women across the country right to their fingertips. Its topics range from all aspects of life, but a key emphasis is to be on the content of medicine, health, and wellness. These ideas were often conveyed in the 1925 edition through advertising, promising great beauty results and miracle cures at home. A further analysis of these publications allowed for a comparative understanding of health & wellness in 1925 and one hundred years later, today.
Historical Context
In analyzing the content of the 1925 publications of the Ladies Home Journal, it is important to understand historical and social events during that time. It is important to note that in 1918 the US suffered the influenza epidemic, causing large spread health concerns and methods of recovery in the following years. Furthermore in 1919 women were granted their right to vote, opening many passages for female voice in social reform. Finally, it is important to note that the US was also affected by World War I, which occurred from 1914 to 1918, leaving an impact on the lives that were affected.
Hair Care
This volume of the Ladies Home Journal was very popular in advertising hair care and any associated products. In analyzing the various hair care products, the most popular were “Fuller Brushes” and “Mulsified Cocoanut Oil Shampoo”.
The brand “Fuller Brushes” was a popular and fast-growing company throughout 1925. The first few months of this year’s issues only advertised a hairbrush and comb, however in the Christmas edition of Ladies Home Journal, there are over 20 products that are advertised as “gifts for everyone”. In each individual advertisement however, it is important to note that this product was is nation-wide popularity and was sold by salesman, going door to door.
Furthermore, another product among the 1925 issues was “Mulsified Cocoanut Oil Shampoo”, a shampoo advertised for resulting in beauty. This product associates the essence of beauty within an individual’s hair, and the importance of taking care of it. The advertisements for this product all included happy adults & children with different types of hair who have claimed results from using it. .
Both these products provide insight into the social standards for beauty within the 1920s, beautiful hair serving as a symbol for beauty through the means of these two products
Dental Health
The most popular category for medicine and health that was advertised throughout the 1925 issues were products for dental health. Although the extent to how many products offered is quite large, some key products to know are “Dr. West’s Toothbrush”, “Ipana Toothpaste” and “Pepsodent Teeth Whitener”.
To begin, “Dr. West’s Toothbrush” was a product advertised for their precision and detailed design to ensure teeth were cleaned properly. Each ad advertised the precision used to design the toothbrushes for better dental health. Although there were numerous toothpaste advertisements throughout all issues, the most common was “Ipana Toothpaste” which scattered the magazine pages front to back. Each advertisement coming with a coupon for a free trial and an editorial for educating women on proper dental health. Finally, “Pepsodent Teeth Whitener” was an interesting product listed throughout several issues of 1925. This product did not have a precise name; however, the company “Pepsodent” offers a coupon for free 10-day tube to be mailed to your home to help whiten your teeth. Whitening teeth is used as a symbol of beauty and a type of social standard throughout the entirety of this issue. All three products highlight a unique aspect of dental health that was scattered numerously throughout the Ladies Home Journal’s 1925 issues.
Nutritious Meals
There is a wide range of food advertisements throughout the 1925 publication, however a common theme present in all is the importance of a nutritious meal for families and children.
A popular breakfast that was advertised in nearly all of the monthly issues was “Quaker Oats”, A quick, affordable, and nutritious breakfast that was noted to fulfill the nutritional needs of growing children. It is also important to note that this ad for “Quaker Oats” also addressed the failure of women to provide their children with a nutritious breakfast, and how this product can help to fix this issue. A similar product is “Cream of Wheat”, a hot cereal for breakfast. This product was also advertised as a means of nutrition for children. The ad depicts happy and energetic children studying and using distinctive typeface in addressing the key messages they aim to send to the public. Finally, another food product that was advertised for being essential and affordable was for “Beech-Nut Prepared Spaghetti”. This product was advertised numerous times throughout 1925 and aimed to help women always have a “hot dish” on the table. The product is also affordable and offers a variety of choices from the brand “Beech-Nut”. In all three products, there is an aim to address the need for nutritious, timely and affordable meals for families and children and these products will make it easier for women to feed of their families.
Contemporary Comparisons
In analyzing the key ideas of medicine, health ,and wellness in the year 1925, it is important to also compare similar advertisements and trends today. Particularly nutritious meals and hair care products are very popular among social media platforms in the 21st century such as Instagram and TikTok. Within the last few years, nutrition and the importance of a nutritious meal has been an emphasis across social media.
The overnight oats trend on TikTok is widely popular and now many brands have developed store shelf products to meet the needs of consumers. Similarly, a hair product that has grown popularity has been the Dyson Airwrap, a multifunctional hair dryer, curler, and straightener. These two products have grown in mass popularity across social media platforms and across millions of individuals across the country.
