Sell and Spin: A History of Advertising

This entry from the Time Machine television series presents the history of advertising in typically glib TV survey style. This should not be construed as a criticism. If ever that clipped, quirky, facts-as-fun-house style was called for, it is here. As narrator Dick Cavett says, this is the story of "explanation, exaggeration and even exploitation." Pictures of wall advertisements discovered in ancient ruins and looks at advertising projects of famous folks such as Benjamin Franklin remind us that advertising has been around for as long as the marketplace (it just took modern man to quantify it and make it a "science"). Sure, it helps to be a happy member of our consumer society to fully appreciate this video, but there's no question of it's instructional value: the most recognized phrase on earth is "ok"; the second is "Coca-Cola." This video explains how that came to be, while giving viewers the welcome opportunity to get reacquainted with Mr. Clean, the California Raisins and Speedy Alka Seltzer. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (M. Tribby)