Thorsen Works

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Text on Button THORSEN WORKS!
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Red text on yellow background. 

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"No one sells more homes in Chicagoland than Thorsen." Thorsen was a real estate company, established in 1923, which sold homes in Chicago. Chicagoland refers to the Chicago Metropolitan Area. One of the company’s main catch phrases was “Thorsen Listens...Thorsen Works!” Several positive reviews were given in their newspaper ad in 1980, one of which stated “Thorsen’s teletype system lists your home in all their offices in seconds.” The company boasted twenty-six multi-service centers and used buttons, signs, matchboxes, and other items for advertising. The real estate company was extremely successful in the 1970s, with their company signs a familiar sight on sold house lots. Later, Thorsen was completely absorbed into the Coldwell Banker Company.

Sources

Chicagoland | metropolitan area, United States. (n.d.). Britannica.  Retrieved March 3, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chicagoland

Cicero Life. (1980). Real Estate, p. 23.

Thorsen Realtors Illinois Pin in Gold Tone. (n.d.). Pic Uk. Retrieved March 3, 2021, from https://picclick.co.uk/Thorsen-Realtors-Illinois-Pin-in-Gold-Tone-303813357534.html

Catalog ID AD0979

The Skatium Skokie

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Text on Button THE SKATIUM It's Nice on ICE SKOKIE PARK DISTRICT
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Red text on gold background.

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The Skatium Ice Arena is located in the Skokie Park District in Skokie, IL. The Skokie Park District’s core values include commitment, environmental stewardship, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, openness, and service. The Skokie Park District has been around since 1928 as the Niles Center Park District before the town changed its name to Skokie in 1940, however, they have always encouraged the community around them to enjoy their leisure time in the outdoor spaces and facilities they offer, including the Skatium, since the early 1970's. The Skatium offers programs and leagues for those interested in hockey, figure skating, or recreational skating at any level. It is open for public skating year-round and boasts of skating legends Scott Hamilton, Denis Savard, Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, and Stan Mikita as former skaters.

Sources

Skatium Ice Arena. (n.d.). Skokie Park District. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.skokieparks.org/skatium-ice-arena/

 

Catalog ID AD0978

Save a Goose Buy Dacron Hollofil

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Text on Button Save a Goose Buy Dacron® Hollofil® polyester Quality Filling Fibers
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Orange and black text on white background with an illustration of a pink cartoon duck shivering with no feathers.

Curl Text JOS. SMALL ASSOC. WILMINGTON
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Dacron Holofill is a brand of polyester filling that has been in production by Dacron for over fifty years. Polyester fiber has many practical uses and may be found in a variety of domestic products, such as bedding, clothing, and upholstery. Dacron is a registered trade name for a polyester fiber made by DuPont. Dacron is especially known for its durability, consistency, and quality. Dacron, unlike natural fibers, is hypoallergenic, non-absorbent, and mildew-resistant. The versatility of synthetic fibers as a whole has warranted them an important and well-deserved place in the textile industry and a reliable alternative to goose or down feathers as fill.

Sources

About DACRON & REG. (2019). Dacron. Retrieved November 27,  2019, from http://www.dacronfiber.com/en-ap/aboutDACRON/index.shtml

Dacron Polyester Fibers. (n.d.). Microscopy U. Nikkon. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.microscopyu.com/gallery-images/dacron-polyester-fibers

 

 

Catalog ID AD0968

On the Waterfront Lottery

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Text on Button On the WATERFRONT 87 THE ILLINOIS STATE Lottery
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White text on blue background with depiction of a rainbow leading to a pot of coins with white text outlined in blue on white illustration.

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On the Waterfront was a music festival in Rockford, Illinois, which featured various genres of well-known bands and local bands as well as food vendors and craft booths. The Illinois State Lottery was a sponsor of the event with their logo, a rainbow into a pot of gold. On the Waterfront Festival debuted in 1984 as a celebration of the centennial of Rockford’s founding in 1884 and ran annually over Labor Day Weekend in the River District for 29 years before ending in 2012. The 1987 lineup included Bonnie Koloc and Rockford’s own, Cheap Trick. Other reputable artists at the event over the years include Smashmouth, The Allman Brothers Band, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Daughtry, Shinedown, Kansas, Blake Shelton, Styx, Puddle of Mudd, Bare Naked Ladies, and “Weird Al” Yankovic

Sources

Garrigan, M. (2022, September 4). Remembering On The Waterfront: ten years later. WIFR. https://www.wifr.com/2022/09/05/remembering-waterfront-ten-years-later/

Hagerty, J. (2022, September 4). 10 years later: What happened to Rockford's On the Waterfront festival? Stateline.com. https://www.mystateline.com/news/10-years-later-what-happened-to-rockfords-on-the-waterfront-festival/

 

Catalog ID AD0977

Northern Automatic Blankets

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Text on Button SAVE MONEY SAVE ENERGY WITH NORTHERN AUTOMATIC BLANKETS
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Gray text on yellow background. The N in Northern is an illustration of fabric in motion.

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Northern Automatic Blankets were heated blankets sold by the Sunbeam Corporation, which is based in Chicago. These blankets originally came in four colors (green, brown, yellow, and blue), were made from acrylic fibers, and had a lighted dial to adjust the heat settings. Ads for Northern Automatic Blankets marketed the product as a better-than-average blanket that would help cut costs on heating bills. Compared to running the heater, Northern Automatic Blankets were a cheaper and more comfortable alternative that only cost consumers 3 cents per night in electricity. This product was sold for about $30 during the 1950s at Sterchi’s, a home furnishing store with multiple branches across the nation.

Sources

Fall festival sale  (1953, October 29). Decatur Daily, 22. https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-oct-29-1953-p-22/ 

Sterchi's greatest Christmas jubilee in 65 years. (1953, December 13). Kingsport Times, 6. https://img8.newspapers.com/clip/3416734/reference-to-murray-of-ohio/ 

No ordinary blanket can do what an automatic blanket can. (n.d.). Sunbeam Corporation. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.adsausage.com/design/bedroom/ad.cfm?id=41165

Catalog ID AD0976

No Doubt About It

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Text on Button NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. ? THE TRACK XI
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Black text on white background surrounding a question mark in a red no symbol

Curl Text 4020
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Have information about this button? Contact us here.

Catalog ID AD0972

Lease It From Trans Leasing

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Text on Button LEASE IT! FROM TRANS LEASING®
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Orange and blue text on white background with orange and blue stripes across the middle of the button. Depiction of a blue globe with the letters "TLI" on the bottom left. 

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Trans Leasing, Inc. is an equipment financing company started in 1991. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Trans Leasing offers financing options for commercial trucks, trailers, and RVs. The company is one of the Top 10 Independently Owned Equipment Finance Companies in the United States, and the company does business in every state as well as in Canada and Puerto Rico. The company finances all kinds of equipment, and will work for customers no matter if they have one truck or thousands. The company’s vision is to “partner with you to provide personalized financial products.” Trans Leasing, Inc. has three custom specialty options available, summit finance, manufacturer and dealer finance, and specialty vehicles. Otherwise, there are financing options for a Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause (TRAC) lease, a Fair Market Value (FMV) lease, or an Installment lease.

Sources

About Us. (n.d.). Trans Lease Inc. Retrieved February 23, 2021, from https://transleaseinc.com/why-trans-lease/

 

 

Catalog ID AD0973

Thank You Lou 15 Years

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Text on Button K-104 fm Thank you LOU 15 YEARS! Jerry's IGA
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Blue and orange text with blue basketball illustration and orange stars on white background.

Curl Text A PRODUCT OF MO' MONEY ASSOC. PENSACOLA, FL
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K104 FM was a radio station on frequency 103.9 in the Champaign-Urbana area, which has since changed to 107.9. The first Jerry’s IGA grocery store was opened in the Champaign-Urbana area in 1983. The orange and blue color lettering is consistent with the school colors of the University of Illinois.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Sources

Dodson, D. (2013, March 26). Radio station changes call letters to WKIO, format to classic hits. The News-Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.nehttps://www.news-gazette.com/news/radio-station-changes-c…

Pressey, D. (2004, June 3). Jerry's IGA in Urbana will close. The News-Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.news-gazette.com/news/jerrys-iga-in-urbana-will-close/artic…

Catalog ID SP0178

You Are My Lucky Star

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Text on Button YOU ARE MY LUCKY STAR.™
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White text and stars on black background.

Curl Text SONG ©1935 M-G-M, INC.
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Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown in 1935 for the MGM film, “Broadway Melody of 1936,” the song “You Are My Lucky Star” was released months before the film’s premiere to draw attention to the film's production and stir up anticipation for the film's premiere. This early version of the song, which was recorded by Lew Sherwood and the Eddie Duchin Orchestra, quickly became number one on the charts where it remained for several weeks. The song is used throughout the film, both vocalized by the main star, Eleanor Powell, and in instrumental segments when she is dancing. Other popular versions of the song were recorded by The Dorsey Brothers and Louis Armstrong, all of which were concurrent with the film’s release in 1935.

It was made famous again with the release of the 1952 film “Singin’ In the Rain” – this time as a duet between the movie’s stars, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds – and is probably the most well-known version. For the 1979 science fiction horror film, “Alien,” actress Sigourney Weaver had the idea for her character, Lieutenant Ripley, to be shakily consoling herself with the classic song’s lyrics when facing the alien head on during the film’s climax – a more literal take on the song and an intentionally stark contrast to its glittering Hollywood origins.

Sources

Cafe Songbook. (2018). You are my lucky star. http://greatamericansongbook.net/pages/songs/x-y-z/you_are_my_lucky_sta…

The Haughty Culturist. (2020, 11 August). What song does Sigourney Weaver sing at the end of alien? https://www.thehaughtyculturist.com/films/alien-song-lucky-star/

Catalog ID IB0705

No Means No

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Text on Button NO means NO
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Black text on white background.

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'No means no' is a common slogan used to promote consent and respect in sexual encounters. It admonishes rape and asserts the legitimacy of concise communication. It is often present on college and university campuses as part of sexual health and sexual violence awareness campaigns, frequently producing buttons as part of these campaigns.

Despite the phrase being a mainstay in conversations around sexual consent, many activists and “feminists have generally moved on from [...] no means no to focus instead on the ethics of affirmative consent and enthusiastic consent.” (Garber, 2018). This move to a 'yes means yes' model of consent education, has been backed by state legislation in New York and California, but is not without its critics.

Sources

Garber, M. (2018, August 1). The Dangerous Insufficiency of ‘No Means No’. The Atlantic. Retrieved October 9, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/08/the-dangerous….

Halley, J. (2016). The Move to Affirmative Consent. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, vol. 42, no.1. Retrieved October 9, 2020, from https://doi.org/10.1086/686904.

York Federation of Students. (n.d.). No Means No. York Federation of Students. Retrieved October 9, 2020, from http://www.yfs.ca/no-means-no#:~:text=No%20Means%20No%20is%20a,relevant….

Catalog ID IB0711