A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my purchase of a vintage COSCO Step Stool at a local thrift shop for under ten dollars. I have seen a couple of these sell at local antique fairs for over $100, therefore my original intent was to restore and market on either eBay or Etsy for a profit.
I turned to the internet to see if I could find out anymore about this particular chair and discovered that the COSCO brand name - a blend of (CO)lumbus (S)pecialty (CO)mpany - was first put into effect in 1941. After the War they changed their manufacturing from military equipment to household goods; patenting the first full-line of metal household stools and high chairs. By 1960 they were recognized as the largest manufacturer of step stools and carts. In the late 80's the COSCO brand was acquired by Dorel Industries Inc. They are still manufactured today.
In post-war America it was common for advertising agencies to market the manufacturers' product to the stereotypical housewife. As you can see from the ad above, the model is engaged in a variety of matronly duties while wearing her high heels. What we would consider today an ordinary household item for dads and grandpas alike, was then marketed as a must-have for every fashionable lady.
It is with this same gusto that I decided it would remain my own must-have item.
Cosco still makes them today.
ReplyDeleteI remember this from my childhood. Our step stool was a light turquoise. There was also a children's adventure show on then (late 50s-early 60s) where a young girl would gather up her dog and sit on this step stool and travel to places unknown. Weird, I know. But that was burned into my 5-yr old brain. Kept trying it with our step stool, but it didn't work.
ReplyDelete