Blind Pig Design

History

Here’s a snapshot of history: Windsor-Detroit. It’s the early part of the 20th century. The sale of alcohol is illegal in many parts of the United States. Although Ontario had outlawed the retail sale of liquor, the federal government approved and licensed local distilleries and breweries to manufacture, distribute and export.

And export they did. With the Detroit River less than a mile across in some places, it was a smugglers dream. Booze was towed beneath boats, underground tunnels were used and in the winter, cars just drove right across.

To quench the local thirst, underground taverns started popping up. Most of these ‘Blind Pigs’ were hidden from sight and devices such as one-way glass and false doors were used to maintain secrecy. During Prohibition, there were as many as 25,000 of these social clubs operating in the area and local authorities were helpless to stop it.

So how does this relate to graphic design you ask? It doesn’t really. I was simply doodling one day and came up with the pig head balloon…and the rest is history.

Still Thirsty?

Follow these links for more detailed information on the history of Prohibition.

The Rumrunners: A Prohibition Scrapbook
Marty Gervais

The Windsor-Walkerville Connection
Art Jahns