LI businesses looked to capitalize on moon landing
A phonograph record of the first words uttered by man on the moon. The watch brand astronauts wore for the moon flight. Twenty three-cent iceberg lettuce.
All were featured in Long Island-area promotions by local businesses to help drum up sales during 1969's historic voyage to the moon.
One supermarket touted the event "238,000 miles from Waldbaum's."
The ad pointed out that "space meals still leave a lot to be desired" and that heavenly meals "only happen on Earth."
Waldbaum's celebrated by putting California vine-ripened cantaloupes on sale, three for 89 cents. Also discounted: Mogen David Kosher turkey salami, at 65 cents for a half pound, and Bartlett pears, at 49 cents for two pounds.
H.L. Gross & Bro., a jeweler in Garden City, pushed Omega watches for $195 — a pretty penny for 1969 — bragging that NASA leaned on the two-button, four-dial chronographs for space trips.
As for the phonograph record, it was free for anyone who applied for a Marine Midland Master Charge Card.
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Franklin National Bank's ad was one of many to capitalize on the excitement over the moon landing.
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Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation's ad made use of moon imagery and the excitement over the Apollo mission.
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American Airlines evoked the Apollo mission in its advertising too.
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Francesco's Italian Restaurant celebrated the Apollo mission in its advertising.
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South Shore Kitchens touted "down to earth" prices while paying tribute to the moon mission in its advertising.
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This ad from the Grumman Corporation, home of the lunar module, brimmed with patriotism and pride.
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In words and images, Marine Midland promoted the moon mission in its print advertising.
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This tire ad got plenty of mileage out of references to the Apollo mission.
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One of the more creative ads was this one offering a two-week trip for two anywhere on planet Earth.
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This ad featured a "man on the moon contest" and provided rules - and an entry form.
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Franklin National Bank promised the moon - literally - in this print ad.
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Another ad, from Marine Midland, kept its eye on the sky.
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International Harvester celebrated the moon mission in a print ad offering "out of this world deals."
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H.L. Gross, a Garden City jeweler, crafted an ad for Omega watches that had an Apollo mission tie-in.
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Reeves Instrument made generous use of the LEM's image in its print advertising.
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Waldbaum's print ad pitched its special pricing to hungry shoppers back home on Earth.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
