Classic Ads: Escalating the BB Gun Arms Race

Anyone who's read an older comic book should be familiar with the ubiquitous ads for the Daisy Manufacturing Company and their dazzling arsenal of BB guns. Boys (and their dads) were hectored by Daisy's breathless ads to buy the latest in BB-gun technology, along with a dizzying array of accessories, upgrades and add-ons (kinda like computers, now that I think about it). 

This "BB-Gun Arms Race" resulted in neighborhoods that were stuck in a perpetual stalemate of "mutually assured destruction", as no boy and his rifle seemed to have a clear advantage over his equally well-armed pals.

That is, unless they happened to come across an ad in Superman #116 (1957) for The Automatic Tri-Pod Machine Gun!

(click on the ad for a larger view)

Just check out these features:

Key words:  "fighting", "ammunition" and "real".

Okay, what else?

Music to my ears. Tell me more....

Good thinking.  In the world of BB-gun warfare, a direct hit is crucial.

Finally...the Coup De Gras:

It's like a magical kid-Valhalla!  It...it's simply beautiful (sniff).

You may ask: "Why would a child need an Automatic Firing Tripod Machine Gun? Aren't they dangerous?"

To which I would reply, "How long have you been without a human soul?"

Look, don't ask questions.  Just bask in the zen-like glory of the Tripod Machine Gun...a relic from an ancient time when a child's toy ad could include the words "ammunition" and "deadly" with nary an eyebrow raise.

Comments

[Elcer Marcel from Brazil]

Mr. Engblom, you do have a great taste for comics and for doing your blog.
Great reading, great space.

[Mark Engblom]

Thanks, Elcer! Say "hi" to everyone I know down in Brazil.

Er....I guess you're the only person I know in Brazil. Never mind.

Seriously, thanks for stopping by....and for the kind words!

[Elcer Marcel]

Hi to everyone. Excuse me my english.
It´s hard to know anything or anyone from my country, since we don't have nothing beyond beachs and soccer. It's nice to read this blog, one of the best in comic books. Here in Brazil we had a good one, dedicated to classic silver age mostly, but is off since december. We are a poor country, not only in the 'material' meaning. The worst is the povertry in ideas... Comic books here are called "gibis" and i started reading them in the sixties, the brazilian versions of course. Black and white versions mainly.
Now i'm reading all the Superman family in digital form and what a trip in the Time tunnel and memory lane.
All my best, from South of Krypton...