Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
July 31, 1983
By Susie Dewey
Vigo County Historical Society
Paper fans moved hot, humid air
The next time someone asks, “What did they do before air conditioning?” answer, “They fanned.”
Overhead fans, electric fans, portable fans and even fancy fans stirred the hot, humid summer air. But the most popular and the most used were the ever-present cardboard fans that bore advertising messages. No gathering, church, or meeting was complete without these life-saving fans on the chairs. Mothers fanned children and gentlemen fanned ladies.
Two such cardboard fans at the museum are probably from the 1920’s era. On the front, two beautiful women, maybe flappers, peek coyly from fans they are holding. The hair styles and costumes help date the fans which bear no date. To stand up to the wear and tear of fast fanning, the handles are reinforced on both sides with cardboard.
On the backs of the fans is printed the advertising message “Compliments of Woods Music Store. The Cheapest Piano House in Western Indiana. Call at our Store and Let Us Show You.” The music store was located at 320 S. Main St., Clinton, Ind. The simple telephone number was 363.
These fans were gifts to the museum in 1980 and 1983 from Ruth Wood Hoyt, whose uncle owned the music store.
The fans were manufactured at the Colson Company, Paris, Ill., and a patent was pending. The museum also owns a card from the Wm. Wood Music Company. The company sold high grade pianos and organs. Victor, Columbia, and Edison Talking Machines, as well as sheet music, music supplies and sewing machines.
The hum of the air-conditioner and the whir of the electric fans were preceded by the silent fanning of audiences and individuals. The donors who provided these instruments of comfort were rewarded with blessings and increased sales.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.