Photos: Workin’ for a Livin’ in 1985

We like news, we like to comment, we’ll dabble in politics, sports, business and technology.  Perhaps most of all, we like photography.  And at the end, if there is one enduring rule here at PE, we like history and nostalgia.  Photography is perhaps the best way to enjoy both.  In this spirit, here comes a curveball.  Be warned, this will either be the most uninteresting entry ever or completely fascinating.

We recently came into possession of a stack of photos taken in 1985.  The circumstances of the shots are untold and the photographer unnamed (we’re privy to both). However, we can’t resist sharing some of the more interesting faces and places.   They are all wonderful artifacts of yesteryear.  See for yourself…

What DO we know about these photos? They were definitely taken in 1985; likely in the Summer. They were taken in a printing plant in Louisville, Kentucky. We’re not sure if they were taken all in one day or span multiple days. The name of the company is apparently Federal Paper Board Company, if the sign in front of the building is to be believed.

Judging from the opening photo, we also know they portray a time when workplace wardrobe was uh, relaxed.  Now, it’s clear (maybe) that it was some sort of dress down day. Perhaps a summer beach theme was in effect. But we know in nearly 30 years later (as of the time of this posting) that there’s no way anybody is getting away with the unbuttoned shirt look. Refreshingly though, the Zesta and Keebler logos have largely retained their look. More on that later.

First, the exterior of the building.

Whatever that is on the roof looks positively scary.

The building still stands as of 2011 but has been expanded.  Here is a Google Streetview.

Let’s go inside and see the printing presses!

We can’t quite determine what they were printing that day. Perhaps cigarette cartons judging by the size.  But we can’t quite place that logo and color scheme. Can you tell what they are below?

The employees…or “associates” in 2014 terms.

All kinds of cool.

These guys were definitely buds.  The calendar does read 1985.  Also notice the quips on the well-guarded locker behind them.

Hawaiian shirts, pocket protectors and jeans for the crew. The bandanna is would have been likely popularly inspired but the original Karate Kid movie when this was taken.

REAL vintage t-shirts ahead.

We really like these gals. They look so happy.

The ladies are well-dressed and feathered.  The horrible late-1980’s trend of masculine lines and ridiculous shoulder padding had yet to be thrust upon an unwitting mass of consumers.

This gentleman stands proudly in front on a display case. You can see the packaging products they produced.  Pampers, Luvs, Betty Crocker (?) and Marlboro.

Who would have guessed this beard would be so 2014.

Relaxed on the job.  This is the first picture where we start to get a sense of the technology…or lack thereof.  Adding machines, ticker-tape, paper desk calendars, physical in-boxes, and typewriters. Not one computer in sight!

Fire extinguisher #5. Employee # 398574-01

Pretty sure this gentleman was the big boss.  Why?  Wood desk, wood wall, pipe, and a fat wallet.  Is that an ash tray and a rotary phone? GASP!

Hungry? It’s 11:10AM in 1985 and that means we celebrate with a pot-luck lunch. There’s a microwave, a change machine, an analog clock and…wait for it…a cigarette vending machine!  More vintage tees and awesome soda cans.

Epic coffee machine.  We think we once saw it in an episode of The Wonder Years.

What was it about the 1980’s that we had to put wood paneling in our offices, cars and even on our vending machines?  Oh..and what’s RC?  Kidding.

Paper. Lots of it. Rotary phones with 24 lines.

Vintage tee. Fishin’ Forever. By now, friend, we hope you are!

Using the adding machine without looking.

More paper.

This gentleman looks like a fellow photographer.

Sporty socks and HUGE rolls of paper.

Dad bods were invented in the 1980’s.

That’s all we have. What’s so valuable about these pictures?  They provide a compelling view of life in the blue-collar workplace of 1985. They are not only a study in the changes in style but the environment of the workplace.  We hope you enjoyed.

Needless to say if you are pictured here, please let us know! We’re hopeful you would enjoy seeing a picture of yourself from nearly 30 years ago you probably forgot was even captured. If not, we’d be happy to edit this post.