Item HT 50761 Ash Tray - Rolling Pin, Pay-Me!, circa 1950s

Summary

Rolling-pin shaped ash tray with the slogan 'PAY-ME! IF WOMEN WERE PAID FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DO, THERE'D BE ALOT OF WAGES DUE' likely produced in Japan, circa 1950s. The slogan on the ashtray speaks to a number of issues relating to women's employment during the 1950s. While more women were entering paid work during the 1950s, they were not paid the same rates as men for the same work; there were also a number of women that found themselves pushed out of jobs when men returned to their former employment following World War II. As illustrated by the rolling pin shape of the ash tray there was also the ongoing issue of the division of household labour and child rearing and the hidden value of this work to the economy.

Physical Description

Rolling-pin shaped ash tray.