Research Topic
October 25, 2006I think it would be really interesting to trace the history of make up. I’ll choose a make up company that’s been around for awhile (Maybelline, Cover Girl, Almay, etc.) and research it’s advertising history as well as the attitudes and fashions of women during each time period. It may be interesting to focus on one item of make up in particular, like lipstick, and see how it has been advertised differently over time.
Another item I’m thinking about researching is the razor blade (for men). I always see olde schoole pictures of men shaving with actual knives; it would be interesting to see how the razor evolved from an actual blade to the convenient little tool we know so well today. It would be hard to pinpoint the moment in history when men actually started shaving, but I could begin my research with the creation of the first razor blade company (Gillette?). Again, I would also reasearch the fashions and attitudes of men at the time.
Allison,
Either one of these topics makes a lot of sense. iI also like your idea of limiting yourself to one particular item, even a brand if possible. This will make your cultural/hisotical analysis that much more manageable. A cultural history of men’s shaving and facial hair sounds very fascinating to me. it may eveen open up deep cultural questions about women and shaving (ssomething, as you may very well know, is understood quite differently in different parts of the world -as well as in different moments of US history -what might ads tell you about this phenomenon?).
Do some research on both topics and see what you come up with. Then start to forumlate your argument/thesis in more detail after you have forumlated some ideas based on your reading of outside sources.
The idea is half the battle, so you are well on your way!