12 Comments

This is the 1930s, not 2020s, that this game is set in. What did you expect? As long as you try to apply your social filters to the past, you're inevitably going to end up being disappointed.

As for games, I vividly remember the day in elementary school when we had this "learn how to make bread" event and the vendor came in with kits we used to mix up the dough. I think we then took the aluminum pans home along with a brochure about the process and how to bake the bread, along with a blurb about how healthy it was to make your own bread. I think I still have that brochure somewhere but I may have finally thrown it out last year. This would have been in the 1970s, I believe. I can't remember the name of the vendor, unfortunately.

Expand full comment

Thanks for your memory Lola. As for my expectations, I am a dreamer, so I will always dream.

Expand full comment

Any suggestions how I could get this?

Expand full comment

I really haven’t seen any copies since I bought mine on eBay. It looks like it’s in the archives at the Margaret Strong museum in Rochester, New York. Maybe you could reach out to an ephemera/rare book dealers and let them know you want it? Rabelais Bookstore has closed its storefront, but Don Lindgren is still working in the field. I’d check in with him.

Expand full comment

Also try lizzyoungbookseller.com

Expand full comment

Love the visuals, Amy. The Bakeryland script reminds me of the (true) story of the friendship between Christopher Walken and Lydia Bastianich circa 1958. Walken drove the bread delivery truck (his family owned the bakery) and Lydia was a salesgirl. The script didn't change much from your game in all those years.

https://www.mashed.com/616731/the-surprising-connection-lidia-bastianich-has-to-christopher-walken/

Expand full comment

Oh, thanks for reminding me of that!

Expand full comment

Wonderful history. If they could or would make the game today it would be made in China, etc in plastic and would never last as long as the one you found.

Expand full comment

Amy, Thank you so much for sharing this entertaining and informative look at our own history! While the differences from today are obvious, it's also fun to see that the steps for bread production describe the same exact process that happens in my kitchen today. (As it should). That's a comforting connection to have across miles and years.

Expand full comment

Isn't that description fun? I'll try to get the mixer and other pieces put together -- they need a little TLC and tape -- and maybe make a video of the game in action.

Expand full comment

This was such an interesting read! And thank you for mentioning the other article you wrote about The Staff of Life -- I went back to read it too, and it was equally fascinating.

Expand full comment

Great article Amy! Really interesting stuff...

Expand full comment