Flying Saucers and UFOs in US Advertising During the Cold War, 1947–1989

References to and images of flying saucers and UFOs have appeared in US advertising since at least 1947. This project argues ads from 1947–1989 reflected the symbol’s fluidity in advertising and influences of the Cold War, UFO knowledge and mythology, and the advertising industry. Six themes are examined: (1) modern fashion and design; (2) technological progress and utopias; (3) little green men as consumers; (4) alarming language and images in ads for flying-saucer media; (5) the creation of publicity stunts and camouflaged advertising forms; and (6) in the 1980s, UFOs representing consumer transcendence and awe. Flying saucers and UFOs in ads functioned as “floating signifiers” — as symbols for the fashionable, fanciful, or the frightening — to represent different values and advertising techniques.

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Work Title Flying Saucers and UFOs in US Advertising During the Cold War, 1947–1989
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Matthew P. McAllister
  2. Greg Eghigian
Keyword
  1. Advertising
  2. Flying saucers
  3. UFOs
  4. Cold War
  5. Ufology
  6. Little green men
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Advertising and Society Quarterly
Publication Date October 28, 2022
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1353/asr.2022.0028
Deposited February 19, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added UFOAdvertisingASQJuly2022Final.pdf
  • Added Creator Matthew P McAllister
  • Added Creator Greg Eghigian
  • Added Creator G Eghigian
  • Added Creator M McAllister
  • Published
  • Updated Work Title, Keyword Show Changes
    Work Title
    • Flying Saucers and UFOs in US Advertising During the Cold War, 1947–1989.
    • Flying Saucers and UFOs in US Advertising During the Cold War, 1947–1989
    Keyword
    • Advertising, Flying saucers, UFOs, Cold War, Ufology, Little green men
  • Deleted Creator G Eghigian
  • Deleted Creator M McAllister
  • Renamed Creator Matthew P. McAllister Show Changes
    • Matthew P McAllister
    • Matthew P. McAllister
  • Updated