The Alka-Seltzer Oral History and Documentation Project is a result of a one year effort supported, in part, by Miles Laboratories, Incorporated. Twenty-four oral history interviews and a variety of related materials were gathered to document Alka- Seltzer advertising, primarily from the mid-1950s to the 1980s. The project covers "Speedy" Alka-Seltzer, "Oh what a relief it is," "The Blahs," "Alka Seltzer on the rocks," and "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" campaigns
Scope and Contents:
Oral histories with individuals associated with Alka-Seltzer and its advertising campaigns are at the core of the Alka-Seltzer Documenation and Oral History Project. Conducted by Smithsonian Institution staff, the oral histories primarily examine Alka-Seltzer's innovative and memorable print and television commercials. Abstracts exist for each interview.The collection also includes background information, archival materials from Miles Laboratories, Inc., television commercials, storyboards, and company publications.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in 8 series.
Series 1: Research Files, circa 1930-1986
Series 2: Interviewee Files, 1986-1987
Series 3: Oral Histories, 1986-1987
Subseries 3.1: Original Interviews
Subseries 3.2: Reference Cassettes
Subseries 3.3: Master Audio Tapes
Series 4: Miles Archives Materials, 1931-1980
Subseries 4.1: Marketing Research and Sales Data
Subseries 4.2: Alka-Seltzer Storyboards and History (Photocopies)
Subseries 4:3: Miles Advertising History and Oral History Program(photocopies)
Series 5: Company Publications, 1960-1986
Series 6: Photographs, circa 1950-1985
Series 7: Alka-Seltzer Posters, 1967-1986
Series 8: Audiovisual Materials
Subseries 8.1: Original Masters
Subseries 8.2: Reference Videos
Biographical / Historical:
The Alka-Seltzer Oral History and Documentation Project is a result of a one year effort supported, in part, by Miles Laboratories, Incorporated Twenty-four oral history interviews and a variety of related materials were gathered to document Alka- Seltzer advertising, primarily from the mid-1950s to the 1980s. The project covers "Speedy" Alka-Seltzer, "Oh what a relief it is," "The Blahs," "Alka Seltzer on the rocks," and "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" campaigns.
Miles Laboratories, Incorporated, the maker of Alka-Seltzer, and Wade Advertising of Chicago established a light-hearted advertising approach with the iconic puppet "Speedy", which had a tablet for a body and a smaller one for a hat. Speedy came to life through stop motion animation, a technique in which each of the puppet's movements was captured on a separate frame of film. The voice of Richard Beals made "Speedy" a distinctive character.
"Speedy" was a mainstay of Alka Seltzer advertising until 1964, when Miles,Incorporated took the account to Jack Tinker & Partners in New York. The agency's work for Alka-Seltzer embodied what came to be called advertising's "creative revolution," replacing the "talking heads" and "hard sell" of earlier advertising with humor, wit, and engaging storylines, even within the limits of a 30 second television spot. In 1969, the Alka Seltzer account went to Doyle, Dane, Bernbach, an agency which changed the look of print advertising during the early years of the "creative revolution." In 1970, Alka-Seltzer moved agencies to Wells, Rich, Greene, where the product's advertising came under the direction of Mary Wells Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence had worked on the Alka Seltzer account while at Tinker and continued Alka Seltzer's reputation for innovative and captivating work. In 1984 they shifted to McCann Erickson.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Miles Laboratories in 1988 and created by the Smithsonian Institution in 1986 and 1987.
Restrictions:
Researchers may use reference copies only. The interview with Charles Chaplin is restricted and may not be copied or quoted until his death.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 9.6" x 7.3")
Container:
Box 14, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
undated
Scope and Contents:
Spokes figure for Alka-Seltzer.
Local Numbers:
AC0184-0000001 (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 10.0" x 8.1")
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
Circa 1980
Scope and Contents:
Frames from twelve classic commercials.
Arrangement:
In Center for Advertising History Collection black copy photo notebook page 317. Original color poster exists.
Local Numbers:
AC0184-0000002 (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
Researchers may use reference copies only. The interview with Charles Chaplin is restricted and may not be copied or quoted until his death.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Alka-Seltzer Oral History and Documentation Project, 1953-1987, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Marschall Div. ; Ames Co. ; Chemicals Div. ; Takamine Laboratory ; Subsidiary of Bayer AG ; Miles Diagnostics ; Miles Scientific ; Dome Laboratories ; Cutter Biological ; Dr. Miles Medical Co. ; Search this
Notes content:
"Enzyme Products for Food and Industrial Processing" ; "Takamine" brand enzymes ; sodium isoascorbate ; citric acid ; "Tissue-Tek" microtome-cryostat ; biochemicals ; "Lux" "Lab-Tek" biological labware ; pharmaceuticals ; Bactine ; "One-A-Day" vitamin A and D tablets ; Dr. Miles Nervine liquid, tablets, and pills ; Aspir-Mint tablets ; Alka-Seltzer
Includes:
Trade catalog and price lists
Black and white images
Color images
Physical description:
43 pieces; 3 boxes
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Elkhart, Indiana, United States
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Biotechnology and biochemical equipment and supplies Search this
Miles Laboratories, Inc. ; Pentex Biochemicals, Miles Reseach Products Division Search this
Notes content:
Circa 1962-1969 trade lit for a maker of biochemicals and biotech products for academia, medical and industrial uses - blood protiens, enzymes, diagnostic reagens, serums, plasmas , tissue culture, etc
"Dr. Miles' Restorative Nervine" for treatment of "nervous diseases" ; nervous system ; hearts ; heart disease ; "Dr. Miles' New Heart Cure" ; "Dr. Miles' Restorative Blood Purifier" ; other medicines . "Flower Gardens:" Along with advertisements for Miles' products, this brochure includes information on starting and maintaining a flower garden ; Nervine tablets and liquid for nervous disorders ; laxatives ; Asper-Mint tablets for pain relief ;
Includes:
Trade catalog and price lists
Black and white images
Color images
Physical description:
2 pieces; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Elkhart, Indiana, United States
Date range:
1800s-1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Drugs; pharmaceuticals and patent medicines Search this
Medical and surgical instruments and supplies Search this
