The Sacks that Spoke: Branding with Humble Textiles

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This episode explores the importance of textiles in marketing and branding. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, in Spokane, WA, houses a unique collection of over 150 cloth flour sacks, dating from 1900 to the 1940s, which showcase the evolution of flour packaging and its significance in regional and international trade. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Eastern Washington established itself a major wheat-growing area, at one time having over 100 mills shipping products around the globe. Learn about the vibrant designs tailored for markets in China, Japan, the Philippines, and El Salvador, and explore how these sacks were repurposed into household items during the Depression era. Staff member Ellen Postlewaite brings us the stories woven into these everyday objects and their role in Spokane's development as a major milling center.​

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