I need to check if a swiss company called Pfäfferli + Huber AG
actually existed in post war Switzerland. Already know about the
reports in the magazines Adbusters + Dot Dot Dot but
http://www.leftwatch.com/discussion/fullthread$msgnum=1199 has alleged
this to be a hoax - need to ascertain if there ever was this company
or a drug called Contrazipan. Cheers. Michael. Happy hunting |
Request for Question Clarification by
scriptor-ga
on
04 Dec 2002 06:08 PST
Dear ch1cken,
No final proof so far, but certain evidence:
- The family name "Pfäfferli" does not exist anywhere in a
German-speaking country. I checked address and phone directories as
well as genealocial databases. It is a fake name, made up to sound
"typically Swiss" (the suffix "-li" is considered a cliché ending of
Swiss names). The family name "Pfefferli" - pronounced much the same -
does exist, but since the poster shows the word clearly with an
a-umlaut, it has absolutely nothing to do with it.
- "Contrazipan" does not show up anywhere, neither in tables listing
pharmaceutical substances, nor in trademark databases. A quick call at
a pharmacist revealed that the name would not even make sense or fit
anywhere in the nomenclature of medical substances names.
- The poster allegedly promoting Contrazipan has nothing in common
with late 50s' advertisement style. Since I have quite a good
knowledge of European 50s' design, I can say for sure that the picture
would be an anachronist contaminant.
Regards,
Scriptor
|
Clarification of Question by
ch1cken-ga
on
04 Dec 2002 07:29 PST
mmmmm
Well The only extra information I have is that a poster was alledgedly
designed for Pfäfferli + Huber AG by a designer named Ernst Bettler in
1959. The story goes that there were four posters, one of which is the
'a' of the word Nazi.
The story was written by a UK based design writer called Christopher
Wilson, who until recently swapped e-mails with me at the Royal
College of Art under the email address of
christopher.wilson@rca.ac.uk. He assures me it is legit but has thus
far offered no substantiation. There was apparently something on Lines
and Spline s about this but it seems ot be down.
Actually, the poster style is quite a good approximation of the
infamous 'swiss style' of design of the time, so not sure I agree with
you there.
The creidt of the 'poster' says Pfäfferli + Huber AG, Burgwald CH,
incidentally.
As it happens, I've never heard of a swiss designer called Ernst
Bettler either.
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Clarification of Question by
ch1cken-ga
on
12 Dec 2002 04:08 PST
any more news on this guys?
The author of the article is refusing to supply any 'proof' of the
designer or the client, so I'm keen to nail this as soon as possible
Thanks
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