March 26th, 2021

Eighties – Cars

by Brian

The strip above, from Sept. 18, 1988, was inspired by the types of car names that were popular at that time. Cyclones, Tornadoes, Thunderbolts, Volcanoes and Hurricanes sure sounded dangerous to Ditto.

Automoblie technology has changed dramatically during the decades since Hi and Lois began in 1954. Cars are much different today then they were back then.

This unique Sunday page, from Oct. 9, 1960, showcases the modern illustrative style that Dik Browne perfected during his years as an advertising artist for the Johnstone and Cushing agency in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The gag makes a comment about American car manufacturing during a time of transition. The Zipmobile resembles a number of models that were introduced in 1960, including the Chevrolet Corvair, the Ford Falcon and the Plymouth Valiant.

In 2014, we revisited a familiar theme in the strip – Then and Now – that explored how life has changed over the years. Two of these episodes made comments about gas efficiency and service stations.

 We hope you enjoyed this look back in time as reflected in the panels of Hi and Lois.

– Brian Walker