THE KNITTER AND THE TELEVISION, SOMEWHERE, USA, 1963

One of my favorite websites is God Bless Americana. Charles Phoenix has a collection of slides, most from the 1950's and 60's, and gives slide shows in the Los Angeles area. He also gives funky 'Disneyland' tours of downtown LA, and has several books available on vintage tiki, Southern California kitsch, etc.

Anyway, I signed up for his newsletter, so once each week he emails one of his slides. I have shared some of these here in the past, and this one was just too good too.
Charles says:
"Pebbly-patterned wallpaper. A milk glass-trimmed floor lamp shaded with red-trimmed white ruffles. Above that, hanging on the wall, a hand carved mask fresh from the exotic import shop. And proudly placed on the corner bookshelf, flanked by portable radios, is a talking picture machine. The olive-grey, gold-framed tube says look at me. The giant knobs say turn me.

This is the 1963 version of Whistler’s Mother knitting. Her hair is as ruffled as the lamp shade and harmoniously color coordinated with the shelves, TV cabinet and butterscotch boucle-covered recliner. Her blue cheese print dress goes with the wallpaper. Does she realize she can knit and watch TV at the same time? Or eat and watch TV at the same time?

In 1954 the fine folks at Swanson introduced the TV Dinner. How convenient. What a concept. Just heat and serve – in front of the TV while watching your favorite dinner time shows which, by the way, are really just filler between commercials.

Here’s to knitting, Televisions, TV dinners and YOU!"