On the Home Front

In the thick of World War II, appliance manufacturers funneled much of their material resources to the military cause. This graphic reminder of that fact, with a gun turret taking the place of a new stove, concluded with the promise that "When the guns are stilled, you can be sure that Norge...will bring you even greater satisfaction, greater convenience than you have enjoyed before." From the vantage point of 2009, it's a revelatory marketing message: Somewhat shocking in its imagery, yet sincere in the sentiment that achieving peace trumps acquiring the latest appliance.