AA-2026-48D544
On the image
A man in heavy-rimmed glasses, sporting a T-shirt that declares him "PROPERTY OF CBS", diligently applies pen to paper at a domestic dining table. This was a time when the boundaries between work and home were still somewhat fluid, especially if you were owned by a major broadcasting network, even in your off-hours. His corporate identity follows him even when surrounded by the comforts of a checkered tablecloth and a book-filled shelf.
He is surrounded by stacks of official-looking documents, the kind that accumulate when one is gainfully employed in a system that values paper over all else. Next to him, a mug depicting ancient Greek warriors stands guard, a stark reminder that even the most mundane administrative tasks can feel like a heroic struggle against the forces of entropy, or perhaps just paperwork.
The soft glow of a yellow candle suggests either a romantic gesture towards productivity or a practical, pre-digital-age solution to late-night endeavours. This domestic scene, captured in the 1970s, perfectly illustrates the era's blend of professional commitment and relaxed home life, where one's employer could literally be worn on one's sleeve.
The historian's note
This image captures a man engaged in paperwork within a domestic setting during the 1970s. The casual attire, specifically the "PROPERTY OF CBS" T-shirt, indicates a blurring of lines between professional identity and personal life common in the era, particularly for employees of large corporations whose branding extended beyond the workplace.
The scene reflects a pre-digital work environment, where administrative tasks heavily relied on physical documents and manual writing. The presence of a bookshelf and a simple dining table adapted for work suggests the common practice of working from home before dedicated home offices became widespread or technologically necessary.
The photograph serves as a record of everyday life in the 1970s, highlighting the integration of professional duties into the home and the material culture of the period, from personal computing devices being rare to corporate branding on personal clothing.
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Visually related — by likeness
Man working at home, "PROPERTY OF CBS" shirt, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-48D544. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-working-at-home-property-of-cbs-shirt-1970s.
@misc{aaAA202648D544,
title = {Man working at home, "PROPERTY OF CBS" shirt, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-48D544},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-working-at-home-property-of-cbs-shirt-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Man working at home, "PROPERTY OF CBS" shirt, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-48D544 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-working-at-home-property-of-cbs-shirt-1970s ER -
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