The 1970s was a volatile decade, with the Vietnam War and Watergate combining to fuel a perfect storm of political, social, and economic
unrest. Increasing energy costs and decreasing food supplies caused food prices to skyrocket in the early years of the decade (Garber, 2008).
News reports were filled with scandal, controversy, protests, and deception, and the growing distrust of governing agencies and "the man" became a cancer that spread throughout society. TV Dinner manufacturers responded to both the distrust of the government and the rising food prices by painting themselves in the "good guy" light and illustrating how affordable their meals were compared to traditional à la carte entrees. They also portrayed themselves as the rescuing hero coming to the aid of distraught budget-strapped housewives by creating magazine ads illustrating how to "glamorize" inexpensive TV dinners to make them into gourmet meals (Pam, 2010).
unrest. Increasing energy costs and decreasing food supplies caused food prices to skyrocket in the early years of the decade (Garber, 2008).
News reports were filled with scandal, controversy, protests, and deception, and the growing distrust of governing agencies and "the man" became a cancer that spread throughout society. TV Dinner manufacturers responded to both the distrust of the government and the rising food prices by painting themselves in the "good guy" light and illustrating how affordable their meals were compared to traditional à la carte entrees. They also portrayed themselves as the rescuing hero coming to the aid of distraught budget-strapped housewives by creating magazine ads illustrating how to "glamorize" inexpensive TV dinners to make them into gourmet meals (Pam, 2010).