Dog. In a Top Hat.
I suppose to question the inspiration of 1950's graphic designers is to not appreciate the influence of the three-martini lunch on their craft.
But what is with the dog in the top hat?
My only conclusion is that this particular junior artisan was on a quest to make this dog the Microsoft Bean Man of its day.
He would not be dissuaded. Because this dog in a top hat was a character, see? And perfect for every situation, see?
His co-workers groaned every time he pulled out Dog in Top Hat for a client meeting. Thankfully, Powerpoint hadn't been invented yet. Having to draw freehand slowed him down at least.
Eventually, his project manager put him in the office the size of a coat closet and gave him the American Red Cross Water Safety account. "I don't understand it but they love Dog in a Top Hat," he grumbled. "So, draw." And Smithers happily doodled the rest of his career for the Red Cross.
Of, maybe I'm reading this wrong. Maybe this was a water safety course FOR DOGS. In top hats. Where they had to learn the "human stroke" since they already knew how to doggy paddle, because, duh. They are dogs.
Maybe it was an underground movement led by the dogs themselves to appear more human! "Here Fifi. Wear this top hat. And these swim shorts. No one will suspect you!"
Those were the only two possible explanations that I could think of. Any others?
(4)
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Comments
That is too funny! I guess they just wanted to make a character that would be fun and maybe appeal to kids more? The cartoons from that time period are all funny and a lot don't make much sense. :)
I didn't guess the product, but at least I got the underwater part right. LOL.
Posted by: Aimee | March 4, 2008 11:42 AM
Ha! That kind of makes me think of the white-lamb-striking-a-sexy-pose on the wallpaper in my bathroom. (http://www.ournewoldhouse.com/not-another-wallpaper-post/) Why a lamb? And why is she being sexy? Did there used to be some special fetish for lambs that I don't know about? It's these kinds of questions that keep me up at night.
Posted by: Kelli | March 4, 2008 11:52 AM
Could it have anything to do with Cuddly Dudley, the dog who used to be on WGN's show, with Ray Rayner? Both were Chicago icons, but I do not know when they started. I saw the water line, but never thought of the Red Cross, I was thinking more along the lines of a plumbing company.
Posted by: tammy | March 4, 2008 10:14 PM
Ha! The top hat threw me off, but I thought boating safety simply because of the water. I never would have guess the dog was teaching you how to swim! Still you have to wonder: Where did those signs go? Around the pool? At the end of the lanes? When I'm swimming indoors, the last thing I do is read the posted signs, ya know?
BTW: You got my You Make My Day Award.
Posted by: faboo mama | March 11, 2008 12:19 PM