Advertisement has been a large part of the economy for many years. From the meat packing industries to the generations of LCD flat screen TV’s advertisement will always be a necessity. The word unsustainable means to not be supported, which advertisement should fall under the category of an activity that is unsustainable. The first advertisement ever published was in 1704, an announcement seeking a buyer for an Oyster Bay estate. In the year 2008 the average American saw over 3,000 ads per day with a total of 650 billion dollars spent on advertising just that year. In 1920 the only ads that were being produced were by billboards, voice, or newsprint. In the year 1916 America had only 60 advertisement companies. That number has increased to over 10,000 companies up to 2004.
Cell Phone Ad, 2009
Telephone Ad, 1910
The issue of advertisement was never solved by political parties, social justice, or economic changes. Advertisement has always been an action that business owners know will help sell their merchandise. The key
to being a young adult or even a full grown adult in the year 2009 is to understand that you do not need to look like the ads you see or buy the items you see on the ads. Citizens cannot tell the advertisement firms to, “Please stop putting your ads on the television.” They would just laugh in your face because in all reality that is how they make their money. On the other hand society doesn’t have to listen or watch the ads, it is simply your choice as an individual. Reading quotes from different actresses such as Hedy Lamarr, famous actress in the 1920s. She stated that All a woman needs is a good bath, clean clothes, and for her hair to be combed. These things she can do herself. I very seldom go to the hairdresser, but when I do, I just marvel. During her time many newsprints would be delivered everyday to their homes, they were advertising hairdressers because in the early 1920’s the bob became very popular and ‘everyday women’ could not complete the look. I think her quote shows that she looked passed advertising and was confident in herself.
