Office1000 Blog December Archive

Coke

By Blog Stories at 12/22/2007 14:06

Who here has not heard of Coca-Cola? If you have not, then you're most probably an alien visiting someone on this planet or you must be some human being who lived several centuries ago and must've been warped to the present time.

You see, Coca-Cola is one of the most famous brand names around the globe and is often considered to be the symbol of American popular culture, just like McDonald's and Starbucks. This may be attributed to the company's marketing prowess. Who could ever forget, for instance, the image of that Santa Claus holding up a Coke bottle? Who could not recognize that sexy bottle? Haha. Only paralyzed men will not be exposed to their aggressive marketing schemes like sports sponsorships, and tons upon tons of advertisement (TV, print, online, and souvenir items).

However, Coca-Cola did not start out as a commercial drink. Actually, it started out as patent medicine in 1885, as people those days had thought that carbonated drinks are good or the health (we later find out that too much Coke may not be good for the health because it's exploding with caffeine, according to allegations. hehe). Actually the first formula of Coca-Cola contained nine milligrams of nicotine for every glass of this drink. This lasted until 1904 when it was replaced by a non-nicotine extract of the coca leaves.

Despite this well-known fact about its former formula, no-one outside the company exactly knows the present formula of that oh-so-addicting beverage. Popular myth tells us that only two executives know the formula and each of them knows only half of the formula. But, I guess, that is just corporate myth. Who cares, anyway, as long as Coke tastes good?

Perhaps, if the marketing monster of Coke won't die out, this brand name will forever go on not only in American history, but in world history as well. If that monster will die out, however, then students of the next next generation will just see pictures of that sexy bottle printed on their textbooks. Ah. That's a sad thought.

In the meantime, however, let's just enjoy that marvel of a beverage that is Coca-Cola. Cheers!

(Get Coca-Cola novelty items plus other novelty items here at Office1000)

The Sanctuary

"Remember as far as anyone knows, we're a nice normal family." --Homer Simpson

If there is anything the Simpson family boasts about, it is living a life that is out of ordinary with members who can be categorized as dysfunctional.

The most famed family on the globe, even beating the first family of America or the monarchy clan of England, made its debut on TV on April 19, 1987. Matt Groening, the creator of the longest primetime animated series which has won 23 Emmys, confessed on basing it to his personal life. The Simpson family consists of Maggie, the cutest of the bunch; Lisa, the intelligent and talented daughter; and Bart the menacing first born completes the brood of the tree. The family won’t be complete without the mother, Marge, who is probably considered as America’s most loved heroine on any series. She is able to put up with the demands of her children, attend to the needs of her needy husband and still keep the home ’spik n’ span’. The Simpsons probably would not be ‘the Simpsons’ without the family’s very own crest, their father Homer. Voted once as the sexiest man in America, Homer is the typical middle aged middle class worker with his overweight body, sudden outburst of emotion and craving for donuts. His personality and low yet creative intelligence quotient made him a hit to everyone, with his famous ‘D’oh!’ expression being included in the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Simpsons had all the right ingredients that made it last for the past years, factors which other animated family series such as American Dad, Family Guy and others desperately tries to imitate. It is in this cartoon series that audience come to realize that during tough times, the only people who would not leave you is your family. It reflected the devotion of their parents to their children and how sometimes words are not needed to express their love to them. Even if Homer acts like he only cares for his yummy donuts and his precious television, he showed more than once that he is willing to give up the luxuries of his life for the sake of his family. The Simpson couple also showed true love that survives the test of time and trials that married individuals go through. The family more than anything symbolizes a ray of hope that even amidst the imperfections of humans and life itself, a sanctuary can still be found and be considered as home.

(Get The Simpsons novelty items here at Office1000. See the Simpsons telephone? We also have a lot of other novelty phones here.)

The Gang That Was Forever Loved

Who would you answer if you were asked who is the most popular rodent on this planet? You would think for a while and immediately repel your brains out by realizing the obvious answer. The next question you would think about then is: What is the most popular and envied click that ever existed on TV and the silver screen? Nope it’s not Joey and Friends, but Mickey Mouse and Friends!

It's the most creative and ingenious production that Walt Disney ever created and sought-after brain thought by other production companies. The Academy Award winning character, Mickey Mouse, came to life on 1928 and became an icon of the Walt Disney Company and in the cartoon industry. The hunted love interest of the billion dollar mouse was Minnie Mouse, a fashionable rat who instantly made an appeal with the audience. On 1931, Mickey adopted a companion who became permanent in the series, even considered as Man’s Best Friend--Pluto. He showed the world that dogs too could create a perfect tandem with a mouse. Donald Duck the anthropomorphic bird who is known for his short temper and identifiable voice in the industry joined the crew on 1934. The saying goes that only a woman could tame a wild man is true as Daisy Duck was introduced in the gang by the Walt Disney Company. Her sophisticated style balances out the tempered behavior of her lover, Donald. Even screen heroes have their own confidante so, to complete the ensemble, Goofy was then added by the company. A popularized character for his flawed personality and clueless antics, together the Mickey and Friends label came to be.

The cartoon group showed the world the meaning of friendship and how it can make your world a better place to live in. It reflected that even the famous icons need others to fill the void in their lives. Together, the gang made more sense and created a bigger impact to the audience. Collectively they became a loved sensation of numerous individuals of all ages from different parts of the globe. The relationship that a mouse, a duck and a dog have all formed would certainly be a bond that would last for decades.

(Get Mickey Mouse and Friends novelty items and computer headsets through which Donald may sing here at Office1000.)

The Original Paris Hilton

Before Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Pamela Anderson, and Nichole Ricci became household names, we became familiar to the original sex symbol of all – Betty Boop. Who could not know her? Her irresistible hair, curvey body, adorable eyes and cute antics made her a cartoon star of her own. Men adore her and women wish to be like her. She was the brain child of Fleischer studio modeled from the persona of Helen Kane, a singer from Paramount Pictures.

Betty Boop’s debut appearance was on August 9, 1930 in Dirty Dishes and starred in only two colored films “Poor Cinderella” and “Crazy Town” in 1932. Her infamous sexual appeal and skimpy outfits have made her as the first cartoon to portray a sexual woman, which gave her the title “Queen of the Animated Screen”. In 1934 however, the image of Betty was changed into a more conservative one as Production Code Censorship was enforced throughout the industry. To many the character of Betty Boop was a breath of fresh air since it gave a new perspective to animation industry as cartoons become popular to older men. The confidence that Betty exudes became the factor for men to be magneted in their screens and for real women to express their own sensuality as well. The era of Betty Boop has motivated women during that time to show off their sensual side and be liberal of their thoughts and actions. Even as a cartoon, Betty became a symbol not only of sex but also of freedom to exercise one’s right in a free country.

Although the censorship of Betty Boop led to her popularity decline, it has opened doors for new creative ideas in the field in the field of cartoons that connoted liberal ideas such as Simpsons, Spongebob Squarepants, Family Guy and many more. Her trademark pout and batting eyes had made consistently popular throughout the ages. Truly a star at her own league, Betty Boop will always be everyone’s eye candy.

(Get Betty Boop Novelty Items as well as other novelty items here at Office1000)