THE GREAT MULLARD MAGIC BLOG — WHEN THE INSULATION GOES

I smiled when I saw this advertisement by Bentley Harris Manufacturing from 1944.    We would never see the like of it today as the British Advertising Standards Agency has taken it upon themselves to upbraid advertisers and exhort them under danger of stern penalty to not include gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence. I am sure the real reason that  Mrs. Miss or Ms is shown ironing in this advert rather than a male counterpart is because Mr. Sir, Messrs is either overseas fighting for his country or languishing in a prison camp somewhere -...