While tidying my files, I rediscovered this fine ad from International Correspondence Schools, circa 1910 I'd guess. The illustration is a middle-aged man in a suit handing a stack of bills to a woman who clasps her hands and beams at him. Here's an Extra $50 Grace, I'm making real money now Yes, I've been keeping it a secret until pay day came. I've been promoted with an increase of $50 a month. And the first extra money is yours. Just a little reward for urging me to study at home. The boss says my spare time training has made me a valuable man to the firm and there's more money coming soon. We're starting up easy street, Grace, thanks to you and to the I.C.S.
You kept that ad for a remarkably long time! Go ahead and answer it. It's still a good school, but the prices have changed a bit in 106 years :smile: I think they're called Penn Foster now. J.
My grandfather completed a number of courses through ICS during the 1920's (I don't recall the exact courses now, however, they would have fallen primarily under the Mechanical & Shop categories). He worked at an iron works in Philadelphia, rising from a shop boy to a floor supervisor and eventually an executive (all this without even a high school diploma - just the ICS courses). He later joined the local school board in the suburbs and later became superintendent of the district. An elementary school was named after him - Fred J. Stackpole Elementary (opened in 1965, closed in 2012).
Some of those old courses are interesting because of how specific they were. While I wasn't around at the time I understand that, years ago, a person could get a job with just relevant coursework. My grandfather, for example, dropped out of college (he was studying architecture) because he was offered a job at an architectural firm. Eventually he became a licensed architect through the experience even though he never finished school. What's interesting is that we went from an extreme where a person can leave a degree program and still work in that field to the extreme where a Masters degree is the entry level credential for a number of occupations where that was, historically, not the case. Plus side, the pathway to licensure seems clearer for a number of occupations. Downside, degree inflation and lots of debt. For me I'm only disappointed that PF doesn't presently offer a program in chemical engineering. That sounds like it could be fun.
Johann: "You kept that ad for a remarkably long time! Go ahead and answer it." John: For a high school social studies project, I answered all the ads -- 30 or so -- in a fifty-year-old copy of National Geographic (which used to have lots of mail order ads). Well over half got replies. Some were very straightforward. Sample of Kellogg's Pep for 15 cents. State of New Mexico tourist info package. A few were amusing: "The offer you have written for was discontinued 37 years ago..."
Another wonderful account from a man with so many good stories! I love it! Maybe I should try doing the same with a 1970s Popular Science or Mechanix Illustrated. Who knows? I could wind up with a First Edition Bear's Guide! If you answer that 1910-era ICS ad, maybe they'll offer a deal on telegraphy or poultry-farming. Here's a sneak-peek at the 1912 ICS textbook - Belgian, Dutch and German Fowls, prepared especially for home-study. Belgian Dutch, and German Fowls. - Full View | HathiTrust Digital Library | HathiTrust Digital Library J.
match boook advertising I remember there used to be a correspondence school that advertised on the book of match books. I wonder what school that was?
