Edging, And not the fun kind

[bajaespuma]

This discussion was inspired by some commentary in the Shopper's Square post by some interesting comments made by Combo52 about the comparative quality of the paint jobs done on GE's and Whirlpools, vs. those done on Maytags.

 

For years, I remember my Mother scoffing contemptuously at the "Edged" colors that were being introduced on household appliances, Harvest Gold, Avocado and Coppertone. I myself was very fond of what was labeled, generically, Coppertone. I still like it and think that it looks better with the edging than without it. Can't say the same thing about the other two.

 

Do any of you know the history and logic behind the idea of using edging instead of just a flat color? I can't remember any other kitchen product that was made at the time that used this style. It was plain-out offensive to a lot of people back then and I have to admit that although my tastes are pretty catholic and I appreciate all novelty colors appliances came in, my favorite are the flat tones of the late Fifties and early Sixties, such as Petal Pink and Turquoise.

 

Discuss.

 

[turquoisedude]

I don't know if this had anything to do with this, but wasn't the edged version marketed as a 'new' colour?? I remember seeing ads that boasted choices like 'shaded gold' or 'shaded coppertone'. My father grunted that it was done to keep one from mixing appliance brands when he very grudgingly acquiesced to letting my later mother get a matching 'shaded harvest' Baycrest (Westinghouse) range and refrigerator in 1974... LOL He was right - when the 'ol Viking coppertone dishwasher got retired in 1978, we couldn't match the range and refrigerator for love or money.

 

[revvinkevin]

My 3.416 cents

 

 

I don't know what was said in that other thread, but one thing I remember John (or someone else) saying is: The shaded colors lasted until the mid-later 70's when all the appliance manufacturers came together and got on the same page color wise.   Meaning, prior to this every manufacturer offered an "avocado green" for example, but each was a different shade and none matched from one manufacturers to another.   When this "coming together" happened, the "shaded colors" went away in favor of solid colors and less cost. 

 

For me, when looking at shaded vs. non-shaded colors, I prefer the shaded colors.  I have a 1977 ('78?) Speed Queen washer in non-shaded avocado and it also looks good too.

 

Kevin