The Wizard of Oz
affirmed America's love for color images. A new type of postcard, the color "Photochrome" (called Chrome) appeared around 1939. These "Chrome" postcards started
to dominate the scene soon after they were launched by the Union Oil Company in
their western service stations in 1939. They were easily produced, of high photo
quality and most importantly, they were in color. Their spread was momentarily slowed down
during WWII due to supply shortages, but they replaced both linen and black
& white postcards by 1945 in the roadside postcard racks. Linen firms converted to photochrome postcards or went out of business. Black & white postcard firms merged
with larger companies or disappeared.
This web site
is owned and maintained by James M. Luty. Please email any questions or comments to Jim@WaynesboroPaPostcards.com.