ARES - Learn - The Early Years
| The Early Years |
| Merchandising in the 1800’s would undoubtedly make today’s demanding consumer shudder. Sugar and crackers were scooped from open barrels. Vinegar and molasses were drawn from kegs into cans, bottles or any other receptacle brought in by the customer. Food was stored in unprotected bins, barrels and sacks or piles on open shelves and unswept floors; and storekeepers were not overly concerned about rodents, dust or flies. Down the street, the neighborhood pharmacist compounded doctor’s prescriptions and during slow periods concocted his own cough syrups, lotions, laxatives, toothache remedies, tonics, ointments and salves. Early American industrial efforts were primarily concerned with producing enough products to meet the ready demand of the country’s largely rural population. With demand far exceeding supply, products were eagerly purchased with little regard given to quality, workmanship, sanitation or utility value. Until supply began to match and then exceed demand, adequate packaging was largely ignored by manufacturers and was not a factor which influenced consumer decisions. |
