“There’s no Way Like the The American Way”

This classic public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. Its subject is a billboard along a roadside in Birmingham, Alabama. This classic billboard will be recognizable to most people, as it has been widely reproduced in many subsequent forms of media. It portrays a happy family driving down the highway, and it displays across a dark field the words, “There’s no Way Like the The American Way.” Above the subject reads, “World’s Highest Standard of Living.” Behind the billboard sits a dilapidated building, a sign of the crushing poverty experienced by much of the country during the Great Depression.

This photo was taken by Arthur Rothstein, who was working as an agent of the United States Government. It is therefore assumed to be in the public domain.

1,417 kilobytes TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

1. ki
   03.18.10

   The picture looks like a family photo of a very high standard living family. They are sitiing in a car and driving. All the faces of the family are looking happy and there might be going out for a vacation. The main member is driving the car. He might be a father. He is having a cap on his head. His wife is sitting side to him. They have two children, one daughter and a son. The daughter looks to be elder in both. The daughter is looking into the mothers face and the mother is looking straight into the rod but listening to the daughters words. Her son is looking outside through the windows side to him. All the family members are having hats on their heads which shows they are rich. It is written on the top the picture that “worlds highest standard of living” and on the right side of the picture “There’s is no way like a american way”. There is small mirror in the car which shows the vehicles coming back to them. All the members of family are laughing with their teeth open. It looks like they are going for long drive. There are some trees on the back side of the car.

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2. Jackie
   03.21.10

   This picture shows a very happy American family taking a drive in their American made car. They appear to be driving through the countryside on a very enjoyable family ride. Everyone has big smiles on their faces. Their clothing and the vehicle appear to be from the 1940’s. On the top of the picture it states World’s Highest Standard of Living and to the right of the vehicle it says There’s no way like the American Way. Which makes me feel much pride for the United States of America and very glad to be from America. The picture is in black and white, gray tone using both light and dark color hue. The texture is very smooth and glossy appearing. In addition to feeling pride, when I first saw this picture my reaction was to smile! I imagine this family chose to spend their weekend on a family drive enjoying the beautiful sites throughout their town together. This must have been a very special time because everyone is dressed in their best clothes and are all wearing dress hats. I imagine this being a beautiful Spring day and this family is on a Sunday drive. The family dog even got to come along on this outing!

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