The Whizbangs of Oohs and Ahs: Those Magnificent Traveling Salesmen of Illinois
As Chicago and the State of Illinois have served as retailing centers for the nation, it is probably no coincidence that Illinois has introduced more than its fair share of innovative and enterprising traveling salesmen. For more than 150 years, a 19th century Marshall Field and his "whizbang drummers" have joined with the likes of 20th century super salesman Ron Popeil and his "Pocket Fisherman" to introduce products, services and concepts that are still with us to this day. And in fact, many of their ideas and strategies have been adopted by modern-day marketing, advertising, and public relations. Join Ron Solberg as he recounts the amazing stories of the traveling salesmen of Illinois.
Ronald Solberg is the author of The Whizbangs of Oohs and Ahs-America’s Salesmen: Their Lore, Lives, and Laughs and has spoken at numerous Illinois conferences on a variety of topics including “The Life and Times of America’s Salesmen.” He was also the 2006 recipient of the “Distinguished Teaching in Social Studies” award by the Illinois Council of Social Studies.
