Bicycles: A Revolutionary Invention Amidst Depression

The bicycle is often mistaken as an item for pleasure, and a means of optional transportation in the 21st century. However, we tend to forget that the bicycle was one of the most revolutionary inventions of its time. The bicycle was used for pleasure but more importantly a means of transportation. When the Great Depression swept across the entire country, people began to cut back on things that weren’t necessary for survival and businesses felt the effects. Less spending caused businesses to become increasingly nervous when it came to their survival. In order for businesses to stimulate consumer spending one would assume that they would possibly increase their own advertisement spending to encourage consumer spending. However, this is not true,

People felt that Chevrolet did not abandon them but Ford did since they stopped advertising. Companies that stopped advertising usually where surpassed by their competitors that kept advertising (“Advertising in the Great Depression”). Chevrolet took on a very specific campaign to advance their advertising. They used new advertising media like the radio and increased their print advertising. It is believed that Chevy’s ads kept some magazines in business. Next, they increased their billboard campaign. Many companies focused on price and quality with an appeal to the emotional side (“Advertising During the Great Depression”). Figure 3 shows a Chevrolet ad in 1933, it states, “You’ll say, ‘I can’t believe it’- But the gas tank proves its true… Save with a new Chevrolet.” (“Here 's A Look At the Advertising That Built An Iconic American and Global Brand”). This shows that Chevy advertised and focused on the price of their cars. They made them affordable to consumers and used statements to attract consumers. This included saving on gas by buying this car for the future. As well as making the car more affordable so people even during the Great Depression would make purchases. These advertisements were catchy which attracted consumers and caused them to spend, they didn’t feel alone anymore and felt that businesses were there for them (Winslow,