Mad Men

(the men in the office refer to Rachel as "Molly Goldberg.") Gertrude Berg wrote and produced "Molly Goldberg" and portrayed her on the radio starting in 1929. The Goldbergs were a hardworking, loving, Jewish family and the program showed their everyday lives and struggles. "The Goldbergs" was broadcast for 17 years. The show was then picked up for television by CBS in 1949 and then to went NBC in 1952. After several incarnations with different actors, formats and networks it left the air in 1955.

(The women in the office are seen reading D. H. Lawrence's, "Lady Chatterley's Lover.") "Lady Chatterley's Lover" was often either censored heavily or banned outright in the US. In 1959, Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield and President Eisenhower were both opposed to the book. When Summerfield denied the books from the mail, the publisher sued in the Federal District Court. Judge Bryan, after reading the book and hearing the arguments of both sides, found the book as "an honest and sincere novel of literary merit." He ordered the book be allowed all the privileges of the mail.

(Joan and the office staff are talking about "hope chests".) Wedding boxes were a tradition in Eastern Europe and the "Old Country" for centuries, but these hope chests became popular in the US during the 1950s and signified the anticipation of marriage. They're also known as glory boxes in the UK and Australia. Items included in the chests, often lined with cedar to help preserve the items, might be linens, needlework, bedding, glassware and dinnerware. All tucked away to be used in a bride's first home.