Let’s face it, advertising has been a pretty hip topic lately thanks to Mad Men. Every so often I search old school packaging just for fun. Today I came up with this image*:
Courtesy of Squidoo: the Evolution of Swanson TV dinners
At the time of the first product launch, the television was becoming a new fangled gadget invading homes across America, people found they were so excited to watch television they were rushing to eat through dinner. Swanson took that insight and made a product which took this action one step further. Instead of waiting to watch television after dinner - why not eat AND watch.
Simple and convenient! This type of product satisfied a wide spectrum of psycho/demographics, including, the most over sold to market: parents who don’t know what to make and convenience shoppers.
In an era where space exploration was new and technology such as ‘flying cars’ seemed within grasp, the tv dinner made sense; it was a breakthrough in dinner meal ideas and fit in to the desire of easy living.
In the 80′s, Swanson changed with the times and evolved tv dinner tray packaging when another household appliance, the microwave became popular. Today there are a multitude of frozen meals to chose from and not all come in the familiar tray.
Companies such as Amy’s makes a variety of organic meals to please all sorts of allergy sensitive pallets:
I haven’t seen this item in a Canadian grocery store, but if anyone has, please let me know!
Amazing what a time the 50′s/60′s were for America. The advertising and product innovations always amuse me.
Let’s go for a spin in our flying car, shall we?
*I do not own this image, I do not work for Swanson, I simply find this an interesting topic.
