Forward America and the American Way

In 1930, the Outdoor Advertising Association of America posted 50,000 panels in 17,500 cities with the slogan "Forward America." In 1936, the National Association of Manufacturers sponsored posters endorsing economic independence, the American Way, the nuclear family, and enjoyment of auto travel. These billboards were erected during the Great Depression as an attempt to keep spirits lifted and look into the future. As seen in the billboards below, emphasis was placed on the depiction of families enjoying travel, new homes, and each other's company.

The American Way Billboards: Image courtesy of Catherine Gudis, Buyways: Billboards, Automobiles, and the American Landscape, 2004.