The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 044 Ding Dong! The Secret History of Avon

Behind the "Ding Dong" jingle and the novelty cologne bottles lay a massive shift in American culture. Today on The Mid-Century Vault, Philip Mershon analyzes the history of Avon—the company that gave women financial autonomy long before they were allowed to have their own credit cards. We trace the timeline from David McConnell’s California Perfume Company in 1886 to the absolute peak of Avon's power in the 1970s. We discuss how the "Territory" system worked, why women trusted the Avon Lady more than traveling salesmen, and the specific societal changes in the 1980s that killed the door-to-door model. If you love vintage history, mid-century culture, or just want to know why your grandmother has a glass bell in her bathroom cabinet, this video is for you. Do you think the "social selling" of today (online) compares to the intimate neighborhood selling of the 1950s? Drop a comment! If you'd like to further support my work, here's my buy me a coffee link: https://coff.ee/philipmershon For more Mid Century Vault adventures, just go here: https://www.youtube.com/user/philipmershon New episodes release every Friday and Sunday. Please watch videos to the end, this really helps as much as liking and commenting, which, of course, helps like crazy. Be sure to subscribe and become part of our new community, thanks! #Avon #MidCenturyModern #VintageHistory #1950s #WomensHistory #Nostalgia #TheMidCenturyVault #VintageMakeup