My Grandfather worked heating and air as a living from the mid 1950s, until he retired 25 or so years ago. These cards were probably some kind of giveaway, I got similar stuff when I worked in an auto parts store. The open pack was probably played with once or twice, and the other package is still unopened. Note that they are different AC units: “The Compact” and “The Round One.”
If these weren’t “useful” (as playing cards) they would have been pitched by my grandparents, while my tendency is to keep every little scrap of advertising/publicity that might someday be of interest to somebody. I did get rid of about 3 boxes of auto parts stuff from the 1980s when I moved though (my wife insisted we didn’t have room, and of course, she’s right). I may someday regret that, but the 1980s were not a high point in cars or hot rods, generally speaking.
Anyway, enough about me, Granddad went to heating and newfangled air conditioning trade school on the G.I. Bill after winning a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts in France and Belgium. just northeast of Bastone during the Battle of the Bulge as part of Patton’s III Corps. His part in the war ended just northeast of Bastone during the Battle of the Bulge as part of Patton’s III Corps when a machine gun knocked his legs out from under him. They Germans could have finished him off, but they let him crawl (with one thigh bone shattered and not connected top and bottom) to safety. The war was over before he got out of the hospital. He is my personal hero, for more reasons than just that.
I did not know people installed A/C back in the 50s. I did not grow up with it in the 70s. We have it now and not sure how we managed without. We did have an attic fan. That is pretty amazing about your Grandfather. I sometimes feel we fall short of the older generations.
In 1948 my Granddad figured AC was the future and a good living, so that’s what he went for. I don’t think too many houses had AC in the 50s, at first it was mostly stores and businesses. But of course it boomed in the 1970s.
That was great to read. It’s always nice to learn more about people’s families. I admire any man that served his country in World War II. Thanks for sharing this with us. Great cards by the way.