Saturday, March 05, 2005
 
Book Report: A Century of Enterprise: St. Louis 1894-1994 by Rockwell Gray (1994)

This book represents another picture book I inherited from my aunt, and if the used price on Amazon is any guide, it might have been her biggest eBay score. But she lacked a certain follow through on the whole online auction thing. So I've got it now, and I thumbed through it, looking at the historical photos of business in St. Louis and reading the flattering paragraphs accompanying the photos. The book was, as a matter of fact, underwritten by one of the enterprises whose start is depicted in the book. Of course that company and all others in St. Louis are praised. Lavishly.

So the book provides interesting photographs, and some trivia and insights, including:
  • The smile was invented in 1948.

  • It's a wonder turn of the century families were so large considering how ugly the women were.

  • The years since 1994 have been harsh for St. Louis business, since most of the grand corporations lauded in the book--Edison Brothers, May Company, McDonnell Douglas, Pet, Inc., Sherwood Medical, and so on have been bought out or have otherwise left the area.

  • Those who have the juice now in the city of St. Louis have always had the juice in St. Louis.
Still, an enjoyable experience, once again a short one since it was mostly photos, and something I'll share with the more historical members of my family. And, dear readers, if you offer me what they're asking for it on Amazon, I'll share it with you, too.


- posted by Brian J. @ 9:07 PM
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