21st Century Dodos by Steve Stack

What do Spangles, Polaroid Cameras, Green Shield Stamps and the ITV Seven have in common? Readers under 35 years of age may have to ask a grownup.

The answer is, they are all things that were created, blazed across our culture, and disappeared forever during the 20th Century.

This book is a gentle romp through a lost world of Petrol Pump Attendants, Rag and Bone Men and Lighthouse Keepers, all trades sadly passed into history by the march of progress. Each item has a paragraph about its invention, lifespan and decline, and has a Dodo rating, similar to our Wine Glasses. Even the Technology section recalls some lost items - Commodore Vic 20 anyone? Laser disc? Betamax video player? Sooooo last century, darlings!

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There's a lovely section on countries that don't exist any more, from Abyssinia to Zaire and Zanzibar, which recalled long-ago Geography lessons. And one of High Street Shops, from 'Our Price' to Athena and Rumbelows. I learned that Green Shield Stamp shops were turned into the first Argos shops. Wonder how long THEY will last?

Mr. Slack has researched his topic well, and I enjoyed reading about food, sweets and a way of life that has gone. It's a lovely little volume that anyone over thirty will enjoy,and those pesky kids could read, to help them understand a little of what their elders are talking about.

Four wine glasses. And a small quiz. Complete the advertising slogans:

A finger of fudge is just enough to ....
A man's gotta chew what ...
For mash get ....
Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ...
I'm a secret ...
Happiness is ...
All because the lady loves ...
Hello Tosh, ...

Boldnotold


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