Fact Magazine was a magazine founded in 1964 by Ralph Ginsburg and legendary graphic designer Herbert Lubalin. It covered controversial topics such as interracial marriage, police brutality, the right to abortion and the then largely unknown link between smoking and cancer. In Ginsburg's words Fact Magazine was "a magazine of dissent that will try to improve society by bringing to light information otherwise suppressed." With a circulation of 250,000 at its peak, Fact Magazine lasted until 1967 when Senator Barry Goldwater successfully sued for libel.

Fact Cigarettes was a brand of cigarettes launched in 1976 by British-American Tobacco featuring a new technology called purite granules. According to the vice president "doubt is our product since its the best means of competing with the body of fact in the minds of the general public." Fact Cigarettes lasted until 1978.

 

   

In 1983 Kleenex launched Avert Virucidal, the world's first tissue paper laced with pesticides sold directly to consumers. Despite $5 million of research and another $1 million of marketing, the product failed, as consumers were reportedly turned off by the word 'Virucidal.' In 2004 the product was relaunched, with 'Virucidal' replaced by 'Anti-Viral' and an updated package design. Kleenex Anti-Viral has generated sales of $140 million in 22 countries.

 

Pepsi Baby bottles were fully functional infant milk bottles launched by Munchkin Inc. in 1993. A significant minority stake in the company was owned by the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, representing a union of Canadian public school teachers. According to Munchkin, the company aims to 'rid the world of tired and mundane baby products.' The product lasted until 1995.

 

PJ Squares was launched in 1994. The aim was to build a better, faster peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Comprised of a slice of peanut butter on one side and jelly on the other, the consumer merely had to unwrap and place between two pieces of bread.

Uncrustables were launched in 1995, frozen, ready-to-go peanut butter & jelly sandwiches that thawed naturally without the need for a microwave. Marketed to busy parents, they could be taken out of the freezer in the morning and be ready to eat by lunchtime.

PJ Squares was taken off the market in 2000 after losing market share to Uncrustables. PJ Squares still required the addition of bread whereas Uncrustables came fully preassembled. Uncrustables have since become a bestselling product.

 

 

Installation Views: Kunsthalle Basel (09.2015)


 

 

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