This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
In 1948, newspaper columnist Steve Ellingson had an idea. Watching his wife sew one day, he wondered if the concept of sewing patterns could be adapted to woodworking. Why not make full-size, traceable patterns for complex or curved project parts which could take some of the difficulty out of project building? So he drafted the first project and launched U-Bild Woodworking Plans. Ellingson enlisted television stars and other celebrities to help sell his product. Today, more than 60 years later, U-Bild is still selling essentially the same product Ellingson first developed. Photograph caption dated May 16, 1963 reads "Tired of getting caught in rain when setting up or breaking camp? Actor Tom Frandsen and actress Jan Norris show sleeping compartment that fits on top of car, station wagon or in back of pickup truck. Compartment is only 8 inches high when traveling, can be raised for sleeping in less than two minutes. It eliminates necessary baggage that goes with tent and needs no packing or unpacking. Easy-to-follow pattern for compartment lists required materials. To obtain pattern No. 281, send $1 by currency, check or money order to Steve Ellingson, Valley Times TODAY Pattern Dept., P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, Calif." Inset, upper right, show compartment folded down.
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Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Frandsen, Tom Norris, Jan U-Bild Inc Women--California--San Fernando Valley Men--California--San Fernando Valley Television actors and actresses--United States Actresses--United States Actors--United States Mail-order business--California--San Fernando Valley Business enterprises--California--San Fernando Valley Woodwork--California--San Fernando Valley Automobiles--California--San Fernando Valley Camping--California--San Fernando Valley--Equipment and supplies Trees--California--San Fernando Valley Drinking cups--California--San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley (Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits Valley Times Collection photographs
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