It was very interesting to me to see how to different time periods sold the exact same product. First of all, sanitary pads seem like a very awkward thing to advertize; so both actual advertizements turn that concept around on itself. Although they are very different, both advertizements are trying to sell assurance along with their product. The first advertizement is from the forties and an entire argument is presented for the value of Kotex pads. It starts with the provocative question-Are You in the Know? Then it goes on talk about three everyday situations that a woman of the that time period would find herself in. In all those situations, a woman would need poise and confidence and the advertizement talks about how their product provides those things. Women during the forties were expected to be the good housewives and the gracious hostesses. They ensured that social events were run smoothly and that everybody was happy. This ad would appeal to them because it called the sanitary napkin the “poise preserver.” The ad promised them “good judgement,”comfort, safety, and assurance in social situations. Women prided themselves on their presence of mind so the argument for Kotex must have appealed to them. There was a great deal of information on the first ad and there were only drawings of people instead of actual photos. At first glance, one would not be able to tell what the ad was selling. Since the forties were more conservative, the company was probably doing that on purpose, making the advertizement a little more subtle so as not to shock anyone. The other ad, in contrast, was an actual photo with color and the message was a little more direct. However, there was a lot less information about the product and what it’s benefits were. The main benefit was not about funtionality but about beauty because the ad just had a beautiful woman with the caption-Be a beautiful story. She is surrounded by blurred, soft, pastel colors and the ad was about being anything-Be a question, be an answer. It did not give examples about what one could do while wearing a pad like the other ad. In comparing the two ads, it seemed like women have gradually ceased caring about being informed about the products that they use. Instead, they are just buying products because beautiful women are in the ads.