1943. Compare and contrast with previous decades: , the ads promise that you WON’T get a washer this year. Don’t even think of it, sister. Someday, sure. But not now. Perhaps the most hopeful part of the ad is the year - at least they’ll suggest that the war won’t drag into the 50s.

The Minneapolis Gas and Light company still exists - it became Minnegasco many years ago, and was folded into Reliant this year. The new name, of course, means nothing; the idiots who re-brand these companies never stop to think that people like to have the name of their town or state in the name of their utility companies.