Virginia Christine (Virginia Christine Ricketts)
(March 5, 1920 – July 24, 1996)
Stage, radio, film, television, and voice actress
Christine had along career as a character actress
in film and television, she is best remembered
as “Mrs. Olson” (or the “Folger’s Coffee Woman”)
in a string of television commercials for the coffee
company during the 1960’s and ‘70s. She died at
her Brentwood home of cardiovascular disease.
Smokey Bear is an campaign and advertising icon created by the
U.S.Forest Service with artist Albert Staehle (below). In the Wildfire
Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service
announcement (PSA) campaign in United States history.
Albert Staehle (1899 – 1974)
On this day in 1970, President Richard Nixon signs legislation
officially banning cigarette ads on television and radio. Nixon,
who was an avid pipe smoker, indulging in as many as eight
bowls a day, supported the legislation at the increasing
insistence of public health advocates.
