History Week 2017 – Library Display
Logo to National History Week’s 2017 theme of Pop Culture. Source: National History Week website
The beginning of September brings several things to residents of the Parkes Shire: the end of all the local shows; the beginning of spring and a History Week display in Parkes Library. The History Council of NSW selects a theme for each History Week. The theme for 2017 is Pop! (as in pop culture).
History Week 2017 seeks to examine, unravel and understand Australian ‘popular culture’. As History Week enters its 20th year, History Council of NSW members are invited to celebrate popular culture across the decades, to investigate its construction and analyse its impact on communities and individuals.
How has popular culture, whether it be music, theatre, dance, film, television, sport or fashion, changed over time? Who defines it, and why? What does popular culture mean on an individual, community, regional and national level? How has the ‘digital age’ and 21st century technological change influenced popular culture? Have we entered a ‘new age’ of popular culture with audiences as creators, shifts in authority and more democratic modes of creative expression? Is history now part of popular culture?
History Week will explore these questions and many more from 2 to 10 September 2017.
Source: History Council NSW website
Parkes Library’s History Week display aims to highlight some of the items that are part of pop culture, both present and past. The display would not have been possible without the assistance of Dad & Dave’s Secondhand Wares & Collectables; Parkes Visitor Information Centre as well as some local individuals. This blog post is for those who are unable to come in and see the display, which was up from September 1st to September 15th, 2017.
NOTE History Week only runs from 2nd – 10th September but illness to library staff meant the display was up for a bonus week!
Food & Drink
Photograph of jar of Vegemite inflatable. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
An Australian take on a British product
Vegemite was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when Australian food manufacturer Fred Walker asked chemist CP Callister to create a product similar to British Marmite.
Vegemite on crackers, complete with the Australian flag. Photo: Janine Kelly.
Made from brewer’s yeast, Vegemite was initially slow to catch on, but sales improved in 1930 when Walker secured the Australian rights to Kraft’s processed cheese and co-marketed it with Vegemite.
During the Second World War, Vegemite captured the Australian market. Marmite was unobtainable and the Australian Army supplied Vegemite to its troops.
In the 1950s and 60s, despite acquisition by the American company Kraft, Vegemite became a distinctively ‘Australian’ food, featuring in songs, and on souvenirs and other popular culture ephemera. Vegemite returned to Australian ownership in 2017 when purchased by dairy company Bega.
As overseas travel increased, Vegemite was carried around the world by Australians as a way to reaffirm their connection to home.
One of the many collectable items featuring Vegemite. This was an interactive placemat for young children. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Such is the marketing genius behind this carbonated beverage that Coca Cola is synonymous with pop culture. A global icon, it has spawned many merchandise tie-ins such as this giant promotional bottle. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Photograph of soft drink bottle from locally based beverage manufacturer Orbell’s. This bottle one of several on loan courtesy Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
A selection of bottles from yesteryear. From left: Pepsi Cola, Shelley’s, Cottee’s, Orbell’s. With the exception of multinational Pepsi, the other three were all Australian owned and produced. Shelley’s was rebranded as Kirk’s after being taken over by Coca-Cola Amatil. These bottles on loan courtesy Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Even after the Second World War, the effects were still felt around the world including Australia. These ration cards were required to purchase clothing, food and even fuel. These items are on loan from a private collector and can be purchased. Contact Dan to put you in touch with the collector.
Even after the Second World War, the effects were still felt around the world including Australia. These ration cards were required to purchase clothing, food and even fuel. These items are on loan from a private collector and can be purchased. Contact Dan to put you in touch with the collector.
Entertainment (including toys!)
Just a handful of A3 reproductions of Australian comics covers from yesteryear. Ian Chambers has a huge selection of Australian comics which he has collected over the years. These covers on loan courtesy Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
More of the A3 reproductions of Australian comics covers from yesteryear. Ian Chambers has a huge selection of Australian comics which he has collected over the years. These covers on loan courtesy Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Before music was streamed, on compact discs or even cassette tapes, it was recorded on records! This record is the second volume of the children of the Parkes Methodist Junior Choir. It was recorded with pipe organ accompaniment at the Parkes Methodist Church in 1974. Source: Parkes Library Family & Local History Resource Room
Record players were required to play and listen to LPs and EPs. This record player has a speaker attached. The record and its player are more of the nostalgic treasure that can be found in local store Dad and Dave’s Collectables. Notice the dial allowing for different speeds (revolutions per minute) depending on the size of the record. The record pictured is a “45” meaning the speed required to play it at normal sound is 45 rpms. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Before mobile phones, telephones were plugged into the wall. Instead of touch screens, there was a rotating dial to input telephone numbers. Dave Chambers states that this telephone was from old Parliament House and came with the speaker (on the right) for ministers to summon their secretaries in an adjacent room. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
This is a promotional poster for the NSWRL (now known as the NRL) It has historical significance to, due to the fact that former rugby league teams are featured here. The defunct teams include North Sydney Bears, Illawarra Steelers (emblems pictured here), Gold Coast Seagulls, Western Suburbs Magpies (featured on second photograph). The emblems of all current NRL teams have changed too, adding to the nostalgic value of this item. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
This is a the second part of the promotional poster for the NSWRL (now known as the NRL) It has historical significance to, due to the fact that former rugby league teams are featured here. The defunct teams include North Sydney Bears, Illawarra Steelers (emblems pictured in previous photograph), Gold Coast Seagulls, Western Suburbs Magpies (pictured here). The emblems of all current NRL teams have changed too, adding to the nostalgic value of this item. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Toy robots have been a favourite for children – both big and little – for many years. Over time they have developed new technologies and features. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Toy robot inside original packaging. This item would have gone on sale in the early to mid 1980s. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
“Machine Man” another toy robot. This item did not work on batteries, but rather winding up the mechanism inside. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
The earliest toy robot in our display. The winding mechanism dates this toy to 1960s. This item on loan courtesy of Dad & Dave’s Collectables http://www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Pop culture helped rebirth items from yesteryear. The kaleidoscope – toy with scientific principles that dates back several hundred years – has been in and out of fashion with toy retailers and consumers over the years. In the midst of renewed interest, this is one of several items available for sale at the Henry Parkes Visitor Centre. For more information head to Visit Parkes website
While not as old in origin as the kaleidoscope, the slinky is still a toy based on scientific principles. Invented in the 1940s and being popular at some stage in each decade since, it is now made in colours and plastic, but also remains in the original silver metal. This is one of several items available for sale at the Henry Parkes Visitor Centre. For more information head to Visit Parkes website
Not all pop culture toys are retro! The fidget spinner has been one of the most popular toys in the last 18 months. Again a toy whose design owes much to scientific principles, this is one of several items available for sale at the Henry Parkes Visitor Centre. For more information head to Visit Parkes website
Parkes Library thanks Ian & Dave from Dad & Dave’s Collectables. They have a huge range of secondhand wares and collectables at their store and it can be viewed online at www.facebook.com/dadanddave
Two photographs of Parkes Visitor Information Centre. Located within the Henry Parkes Centre on the Newell Highway, the centre offers a range of souvenirs, regional produce and essential items. The friendly staff can assist you with all your tourism needs including a wide range of local information on accommodation, events and attractions, destination brochures and maps. Source: Visit Parkes website
Parkes Shire Library would like to thank the following people and organisations for their assistance with this blog post:
- Ian and Dave Chambers from Dad & Dave’s Collectables
- the staff at Henry Parkes Visitor Centre
- all associated with History Council of NSW for organising National Health Week
- Parkes Library staff, especially Leon Madden for his assistance
If you have any items or memories of pop culture, please share them with Parkes Library (library@parkes.nsw.gov.au) or in the comments box below.
REFERENCE LIST
- History Council NSW. (2017, July 1). Pop! [Logo for History Week 2017]. Retrieved September 1, 2017, from http://historycouncilnsw.org.au/history-week/
History Parkes 