Portable communicator

Motorola these days is associated with cellular phones and funky tablets; but they have a long history at building gadgets: they invented car radios in the 1930's and they also invented the earliest personal communication devices: the hand-held "Handie-Talkie", during World War 2.

Heavy and clumsy looking, but this makes for a really exciting collectable.

"Handie talkie", 1945
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First in the Service

Using war to sell your products has worked very well for tobacco products.

Very politically incorrect in this day and age, but cigarettes were issued by governments all around the world in the daily combat rations for soldiers up until the early 1960's.

"Walk a mile", 1944
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Almost subliminal

"Sleeping women of the free world, Uncle Sam needs your help". Or so it can be inferred from this clever piece -almost war propaganda- from an underwear manufacturer.

Even nighties can be patriotic -this ad is pointing out the benefit of a good sleep for improving efficiency in war work. And what better underwear for sleeping well? You guessed it.

The "Fighting Trims" - did nobody come up with a better name for this? Ouch.

"Keep in trim", 1943
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